Category: Sports

A historic moment unfolded on the basketball court Friday evening in Los Angeles, as LeBron James created NBA history by delivering a pass to his son for a successful shot.

According to the NBA, James achieved the league’s first-ever father-son assist when he found Bronny James open for a 3-point shot during the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup with Brooklyn.

The historic father-and-son pair shared significant playing time together for the second consecutive game as the Lakers welcomed the struggling Nets following a productive road trip. Bronny James spent nearly four and a half minutes on the court alongside his father after both entered the game together at the start of the second quarter.

During their time together on the floor, both family members contributed to the scoreboard, with LeBron converting a driving layup before the two exchanged passes on the following possession, resulting in Bronny’s successful 3-point attempt from just beyond the arc.

Throughout this season, his second with the Lakers, Bronny James has primarily seen action during garbage time minutes while also spending time with the team’s G League affiliate.

However, with regular starter Marcus Smart unavailable due to injury for the previous two contests, Bronny earned regular rotation minutes for the Lakers in matchups against Indiana and Brooklyn this week.

LeBron and Bronny hold the distinction of being the first father-son combination to compete in the NBA simultaneously, much less as teammates on the same roster.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their historic achievement Friday evening as players received sparkling championship rings during a pregame ceremony, honoring their consecutive World Series victories.

Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani opened his blue presentation box, which featured a video display showcasing highlights from the previous season’s playoff journey that ended with a decisive Game 7 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays. The two-way star placed the ring on his finger and raised his fist triumphantly.

This marks an unprecedented milestone for the Dodgers organization, as they became the first team in franchise history to capture World Series championships in successive seasons. The victories represent their third title over a six-year span.

All-Star shortstop Mookie Betts now possesses four championship rings total — three earned with Los Angeles and one from his time in Boston. The versatile player has openly expressed his desire to transition from being known as a five-tool athlete to one sporting five championship rings. He walked across the blue carpet toward a stage positioned near the pitcher’s mound, beaming with joy.

The most enthusiastic crowd response was reserved for World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who acknowledged the fans with waves. When Freddie Freeman received his third championship ring, supporters erupted in “Freddie! Freddie!” chants. Freeman’s initial title came during his tenure with Atlanta.

Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts struck a pose with extended fists. The complete roster assembled around the pitcher’s mound to display their championship jewelry as the ceremony concluded, with actor and comedian Anthony Anderson serving as host. The USC marching band performed while forming the letters “LA” across the outfield.

Orel Hershiser, the pitching standout from the team’s 1988 World Series championship, initially approached the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. However, he was called back and replaced by pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who concluded his 18-year Dodgers career last season. After throwing the ball, Kershaw received his own championship ring from his former teammates.

The elaborate rings feature diamonds and sapphires with an innovative ring-within-a-ring design and incorporate actual dirt collected from home plate during Game 7.

Eighty-six diamonds set in 14-karat yellow gold form the words “world champions” around the ring’s face. A solitary diamond represents their status as baseball’s top team.

The L.A. emblem contains 17 blue sapphires, corresponding to the team’s postseason victories. Positioned behind the logo are 79 diamonds alongside 48 round sapphires. The dates of all nine franchise World Series titles and 15 round sapphires circle the ring’s top portion. An additional 50 diamonds adorn the bezel’s upper and lower sections. Seventy round diamonds create a frame around the centerpiece.

Individual player signatures are etched inside each ring’s band. “Back 2 Back” appears in blue lettering on the ring’s right side. The outer band displays the numbers 4,012,470, representing the Dodgers’ 2025 season attendance figure.

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is making steady improvement from his right knee injury and will undergo another evaluation next week, the team announced Friday.

According to ESPN, the veteran guard will be absent for at least two additional contests – Friday evening’s matchup with Washington and Sunday’s road game in Denver. The Warriors’ injury report indicates Curry’s upcoming milestone will be participating in full-contact five-on-five practice sessions.

The 38-year-old point guard has been absent for 23 games due to patellofemoral pain syndrome and bone bruising in his knee. Head coach Steve Kerr emphasized before Friday’s game that Curry must see regular season action before any potential play-in tournament appearance.

“We’re not bringing him back (only) for the play-in game,” Kerr explained. “He’d need to play some games. We need to give him a runway if this is going to work. And we are running out of games. That’s fair to say.”

Golden State sits in the Western Conference’s 10th position with a 35-38 record entering Friday. The team appears locked into the play-in tournament, holding a 10½ game cushion over 11th place while trailing sixth by 8½ games with nine contests remaining.

The Warriors also provided updates on other injured players. Seth Curry, Stephen’s sibling, has been out seven games with a left adductor strain but will join scrimmage activities and is listed as day-to-day.

Center Al Horford remains sidelined after seven games with a strained right soleus muscle and faces re-evaluation in one week. Fellow big man Quinten Post is day-to-day with right foot soreness following a two-game absence.

Through 39 games this season, Stephen Curry has posted averages of 27.2 points and 4.8 assists while connecting on 39.1% of his three-point attempts. His last appearance came on January 30th. The Warriors have already lost Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody to season-ending knee injuries.

JUPITER ISLAND, Fla. — Professional golfer Tiger Woods was taken into custody Friday following a vehicle accident in Florida, marking at least his fourth major automobile incident and his second arrest for impaired driving.

According to authorities, Woods displayed signs of impairment when officers responded to the crash scene where his Land Rover had collided with another vehicle before overturning near his Jupiter Island residence. Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek reported that while Woods passed a breathalyzer examination, he declined to provide a urine sample. Fortunately, neither Woods nor the other driver sustained injuries in the collision.

The golf champion now faces misdemeanor charges for impaired driving with property damage and refusing to comply with testing requirements.

This latest incident adds to a series of vehicle-related troubles spanning over a decade for the sports icon.

In 2017, law enforcement in south Florida discovered Woods unconscious in his running vehicle, which was stopped in a travel lane with visible damage to the driver’s side. Woods explained he had consumed multiple prescription pain medications and experienced an adverse reaction.

Following that incident, Woods entered a guilty plea for reckless driving in 2017 and participated in a first-offense DUI program to avoid incarceration. His sentence included one year of supervised probation, monetary penalties, and community service hours.

A severe accident occurred in February 2021 when Woods’ SUV departed a coastal roadway in Los Angeles County at excessive speed, resulting in a rollover that caused extensive leg and ankle trauma.

Investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department revealed Woods was traveling at 84 to 87 miles per hour on a curving roadway with a posted limit of 45 miles per hour. Authorities filed no criminal charges in that case.

Medical professionals reported that Woods suffered fractures to both the tibia and fibula bones in his lower right leg at multiple points. Surgeons inserted a rod into the tibia to stabilize the breaks, while additional hardware including screws and pins were necessary for foot and ankle injuries.

Woods remained bedridden for three months with medical equipment installed at his Florida residence before beginning rehabilitation with crutches and eventually regaining independent mobility. The golfer revealed that amputation of his right leg was considered during treatment.

He remained absent from PGA Tour competition that season but made his comeback at the 2022 Masters tournament.

The earliest documented incident occurred on November 27, 2009, when Woods departed his Orlando, Florida home around 2:30 a.m. and crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and tree on neighboring property.

This accident happened just two days after the National Enquirer reported allegations that Woods was involved with a New York nightclub employee, claiming they had recently met in Melbourne. The Windermere police chief stated that responding officers discovered Woods on the ground with his then-spouse, Elin Nordegren, attending to him.

According to the police chief, Nordegren explained she was inside their home when she heard the collision and “came out and broke the back window with a golf club.” Woods sustained cuts to both lips and had blood in his mouth from the accident.

A major shake-up is coming to women’s professional basketball as the Connecticut Sun franchise has been sold to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta in a $300 million transaction, with plans to relocate the team to Houston by 2027.

An individual with knowledge of the transaction confirmed the details to The Associated Press on Friday, requesting anonymity since no official announcement has been made.

The sale and relocation must still receive approval from the WNBA Board of Governors. Connecticut will host the Sun for one final season before the franchise makes its move to Texas, where it will operate under the Comets banner.

The relocation will bring to a close the franchise’s 23-year chapter in New England, which began when the team relocated from Orlando in 2003.

Houston emerged as a serious contender for the franchise last year, ultimately increasing their offer to $250 million — matching the expansion fees paid by Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia for new teams.

The Sun had received a competing $325 million proposal from a group headed by Boston Celtics minority owner Steve Pagliuca, which would have brought the team to Boston. However, the WNBA effectively prevented that transaction by stating that “relocation decisions are made by the WNBA Board of Governors and not by individual teams.”

League officials further explained that other franchises had completed the expansion process and held priority over Boston.

During a press conference announcing three new expansion teams, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert indicated that Houston was next in line.

Friday’s development provides the franchise with certainty as they prepare for potential free agent signings next month.

The Houston Comets hold a special place in WNBA history as one of the league’s founding franchises, capturing the first four consecutive championships from 1997 through 2000. That franchise ceased operations following the 2008 season.

The most recent WNBA franchise relocation occurred in 2017 when the Las Vegas Aces moved from San Antonio.

According to reports from PaperCity Magazine and ESPN on Friday, the Fertitta family has acquired the Connecticut Sun basketball team and intends to relocate the WNBA franchise to Houston.

The Sun will complete their final season in Connecticut during the upcoming 2026 campaign before making the move to Texas for the 2027 season. Connecticut has served as the team’s home base since 2003. The franchise will adopt the Houston Comets name, which belonged to the city’s former WNBA team, PaperCity reported.

According to ESPN’s report, the Fertitta family paid $300 million to acquire the Sun.

The Mohegan Tribe, who currently own the franchise, had been considering various purchase offers since last year. Connecticut state officials had proposed relocating the team to Hartford to keep them within state borders, while Marc Lasry, former part-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, made a bid and reportedly planned to move the franchise to Boston.

Interest from the Fertitta family, headed by Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, became public knowledge in December.

Houston had also sought to obtain a new WNBA expansion team, but the league chose Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia for its most recent expansion round instead.

In 2003, the Mohegan Tribe acquired what was then called the Orlando Miracle and relocated the franchise to Uncasville, Connecticut. Last season, the tribe sent correspondence to supporters guaranteeing the team would remain at Mohegan Sun Arena through at least the 2026 season.

While the Sun have reached the WNBA championship series four times, including as recently as 2022, they have yet to capture their first league title.

Professional golfer Tiger Woods faces driving under the influence charges following a Friday incident where his Land Rover overturned on a two-lane roadway close to his Jupiter Island residence in Florida, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

The 50-year-old athlete displayed indicators of impairment during the incident and declined to provide a urine sample while in custody, authorities reported. While a breath analysis detected no alcohol in his system, law enforcement officials suspect the impairment stemmed from drugs or prescription medications.

The rollover incident resulted in no reported injuries.

Professional golf superstar Tiger Woods was taken into custody by Martin County authorities in Florida on charges related to suspected impaired driving, according to law enforcement officials.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Woods was apprehended on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. Officials stated that the golf champion did not suffer any injuries during the incident.

The arrest comes as the golfing world continues to follow Woods’ career following his previous legal troubles and personal challenges. No additional details about the circumstances surrounding the arrest have been released at this time.

Professional golfer Tiger Woods experienced a vehicle rollover accident in Florida on Friday afternoon, according to ABC News, which cited information from the local sheriff’s department.

ABC News reported that Woods’ medical condition following the incident remains unknown at this time.

The golf champion has maintained a reduced tournament schedule following a serious automobile accident that occurred in February 2021.

When contacted for additional information, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office had not yet provided a response.

America’s flag football national squad has already demonstrated it can capture Olympic gold without assistance from NFL stars when the sport makes its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Last Saturday’s Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles proved the men’s national squad has what it takes to bring home the championship. The team overwhelmed squads featuring current and former NFL legends, including Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels. The national team has remained unbeaten in International Federation of American Football competition since 2018, winning contests by an average margin of 50-17, while claiming five consecutive world championships.

This should settle the debate. However, it likely won’t since NFL athletes have expressed their desire to represent their nation and league ownership has approved their participation. Burrow approached last week’s Southern California tournament as if it were a tryout. He displayed more running, cutting, and juking abilities than typically seen in his NFL performances. Cincinnati supporters must have worried about potential injury given his aggressive play style.

Flag football and Olympic participation will be topics at the NFL’s upcoming annual meeting in Phoenix, ensuring continued discussion. USA Football is currently building its 2026 roster. The candidate pool features flag football specialists who are current world champions, alongside athletes with basketball, track and tackle football experience. Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is also under consideration.

Brady, who demonstrated at 48 that his passing skills remain sharp, removed himself from Team USA consideration after posting an 0-2 record in the tournament.

“LA ’28 will be a lot of guys like you saw out there on the field who make a big commitment to trying to be their best and go out there and showcase their skillset to a global audience,” the seven-time Super Bowl champion said.

Flag football differs significantly from tackle football, naturally. The sports are so distinct that Brady was already discussing potential rule modifications to increase passing opportunities.

NFL athletes and coaches entered the round-robin competition unprepared after just a few practice sessions. They couldn’t depend on superior football abilities to defeat an elite squad that knows how to exploit the sport’s specific intricacies.

Flag football demands specialized abilities. Outstanding speed, agility, and evasiveness, particularly in 5-on-5 formats, are essential. The sport naturally favors the quickest athletes.

This eliminates many NFL superstars. The league’s top pass rushers rank among the finest athletes due to their power-speed combination. However, players like Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons wouldn’t reach quarterbacks quickly enough to grab flags. Interior defensive linemen have no place. Linebackers wouldn’t qualify. Most safeties wouldn’t either.

“I think when you look at it, you build it with corners and nickels on the defensive side of the ball and fast, skilled guys on the offensive side,” said Hall of Fame linebacker Luke Kuechly, who participated in the showcase. “I think linebackers are going to want to get themselves in that game but it feels a lot like a nickel, corner game on the defensive side of the ball.”

Flag removal is its own skill, requiring extensive practice. Traditional tackling fundamentals simply don’t translate to flag football.

“When you traditionally go to tackle somebody, you want to have the man in front of them versus this game (where) you gotta be on the side, your eyes have to be in the right place and you really have to track that flag,” Kuechly said. “These guys do a tremendous job of sinking lower and you miss that flag. So the technique that we learned as the game went on was attack that near hip, play with our eyes directly on that flag and then anticipate them dropping. That’s what they are so good at and it was, quite frankly, very difficult for us to get those flags.”

The NFL represents a violent, physical competition. Flag football emphasizes finesse, making size, strength and power disadvantageous.

Team USA’s offense, featuring Darrell “Housh” Doucette III, Nico Casares, Velton Brown Jr. and Pablo Smith, proved unstoppable across three Saturday games, finding the end zone on every drive except for a victory-ending kneel-down.

“Their skillset was very different than anything we’ve seen in the NFL, the speed, the quickness, the ability to create,” Kuechly said. “Our inability to put our hands on those guys made this game very difficult. The scheme is very different. The concepts are very different. With time, it’ll change and we’ll have a better feel for it.”

The proper combination of NFL talent — fast cornerbacks, quick receivers, shifty running backs and mobile quarterbacks — could potentially claim gold with sufficient time to master the sport’s complexities.

“If we’re looking at great athletes, the NFL players are athletes,” Brady said.

However, when would they find time for flag football preparation? It’s hard to envision teams permitting players to miss NFL preparation time, risking injury in the process. It’s surprising that athletes like Burrow, Daniels, Hurts, Saquon Barkley and others received approval for the Fanatics showcase.

So who will represent America in 2028?

“Whoever gives the team the best chance to win should be out there,” Brady said.

Obviously, that’s currently Team USA.

The National Basketball Association is exploring three different strategies to discourage franchises from deliberately losing games to secure better draft positions, according to two sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday.

These strategies — which remain preliminary concepts rather than finalized proposals — were shared with the league’s ownership group by NBA leadership earlier this week, the sources indicated.

Both individuals requested anonymity since the league has not made these details public.

Commissioner Adam Silver announced Wednesday his intention to hold a special ownership meeting in May for voting on lottery modifications, promising the league would address the tanking problem. One source told the AP that these concepts will likely undergo changes or refinements in coming weeks, with additional ideas potentially being presented to owners. The league’s general managers have also been contributing suggestions for potential modifications.

ESPN initially reported that these concepts were shared with team governors.

“I will say again, as I’ve said this before, this is not a new issue in this league,” Silver stated this week. “You can go back to the ’60s, when coin tosses were used to determine who got the first pick, then in the ’80s, when a draft lottery was created. That lottery has been modified four times since then. Does not seem to be operating optimally where we are now.”

Whatever modifications are ultimately approved will not take effect for this year’s lottery, scheduled for May.

Currently, the 14 franchises missing the NBA playoffs enter the lottery, where a four-number ping-pong ball combination determines the top four draft positions.

Under present rules, the three worst-performing teams each hold 14% odds for the top selection — with none of the five worst teams able to drop below eighth position in the lottery. The remaining 11 teams see their No. 1 pick chances decrease gradually, ranging from 12.5% for the fourth-worst team down to 0.7% for the 14th-worst team.

“Incentives need to be fixed,” Silver declared. “We will fix them. I’m looking forward to that.”

One proposed concept would include all 18 non-playoff teams plus the eight play-in tournament participants in the lottery. The bottom 10 franchises would each receive 8% lottery odds, with decreasing percentages from there.

Under this scenario, even the 18th-worst team — a playoff qualifier — could potentially win the lottery with 1% odds.

The WNBA determines lottery positioning based on two-season performance rather than single-season results. The NBA is considering a similar approach.

However, the NBA version would also establish a minimum win threshold — currently proposed at 25 victories per season. This means a team winning 31 games across two seasons would have identical No. 1 pick odds as a franchise earning exactly 50 wins over the same period. This floor aims to eliminate incentives for teams to lose every possible game.

A third concept under consideration would give the five worst teams equal 11% odds for the top pick — replacing the current system where three teams hold 14% chances.

This model would include certain pick protections to prevent the worst-performing teams from falling too far in draft order.

University of Michigan women’s basketball will be without reserve player Macy Brown for the remainder of March Madness after she suffered a torn ACL in her right knee.

The 6-foot junior guard was injured during a team practice session over the weekend, according to university officials who announced the news Friday.

Brown’s absence comes as the Wolverines prepare for their Sweet 16 clash with Louisville on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. Michigan enters the game as the No. 2 seed with a 27-6 record, while Louisville holds the No. 3 seed at 29-7.

The team expressed their support for Brown through a social media statement, saying “We are heartbroken for her, but know that her energy and spirit will continue to make an impact on the sideline.”

Throughout the current season, Brown appeared in 30 contests coming off the bench, contributing an average of 2.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. She also recorded 1.2 assists per outing while playing an average of 12.2 minutes each game.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have secured safety Damar Hamlin for another year, announcing Friday that the 28-year-old defender has agreed to a one-year deal to remain with the franchise for his sixth campaign.

The move keeps Hamlin in Western New York after his previous contract ran out, making him a free agent. His continued presence with Buffalo represents an ongoing story of resilience and determination following his life-threatening medical emergency nearly three years ago.

The defensive back has displayed no lingering effects from the cardiac arrest that required on-field resuscitation during Buffalo’s matchup against Cincinnati in January 2023.

While team officials carefully managed his return by limiting him to five appearances in the 2023 season, Hamlin bounced back to make a career-best 14 starts during the 2024 campaign. However, he moved into a reserve role last year and appeared in only five contests before a chest muscle injury suffered during practice landed him on injured reserve.

With the Bills undergoing significant changes, Hamlin will likely battle for a backup position. The team has brought in Jim Leonhard as the new defensive coordinator, working under recently promoted head coach Joe Brady, who took over after the organization dismissed Sean McDermott in January.

Buffalo has also added veteran safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone through free agency, with both players expected to vie for the starting role alongside Cole Bishop.

The Bills made Hamlin a sixth-round selection from the University of Pittsburgh in the 2021 NFL Draft. Throughout his professional career spanning 53 games with 27 starts, he has recorded two interceptions.

On Friday, the San Diego Wave revealed they have acquired former Chelsea forward Catarina Macario for their roster.

The 26-year-old veteran of the U.S. Women’s National Team has committed to a contract that runs through the 2030 NWSL season.

Born in Brazil but raised in the San Diego region, Macario developed her skills with local youth clubs before starring at Stanford University.

In a video statement from the Wave, Macario expressed her emotions about returning home: “It’s amazing to see all of (my family’s) sacrifices paying off. San Diego means so much to me. It’s where I grew up. It’s where I became a young woman, where I learned to speak English and made lifelong friends. To be back here and actually represent the city and play for San Diego, it means a lot to me.”

Following her collegiate success where she captured consecutive MAC Hermann awards as the top player in the nation during 2018 and 2019, plus helped Stanford claim NCAA titles in 2017 and 2019, Macario took her talents overseas to compete professionally with Lyon in France from 2021-2023, then with Chelsea in England from 2023-2026.

On the international stage, Macario has contributed 16 goals and five assists across 29 matches for the USWNT after gaining American citizenship in 2020. Her achievements include earning a bronze medal during the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The National Basketball Association presented three different anti-tanking strategies to team owners during a Wednesday meeting in New York, according to ESPN reporting.

Each proposed system shares a significant change from current practice: including teams that reach the playoffs in the draft lottery process.

The initial plan would expand lottery participation to 18 franchises — combining the 10 lowest-performing teams that fail to reach the play-in tournament with the eight squads that earn play-in spots. Under this system, the bottom 10 organizations would each receive identical 8% odds of advancing in the lottery, while the remaining 20% would be distributed among the eight play-in participants in reverse order from positions 11-18. Every position among these 18 spots would be determined through the lottery.

A second option expands participation to 22 franchises by adding the four playoff teams eliminated in the first round to the previous 18. Rankings would be determined using combined records from the previous two seasons.

This approach includes establishing a minimum victory requirement each season to prevent teams from deliberately losing excessive games. Under a hypothetical 20-win floor, a franchise finishing 14-68 would be calculated as 20-62 for lottery purposes. A team winning 20 games in year one and 40 in year two would be credited with 30 total victories. The first four draft positions would be selected through lottery drawing.

Sources described the third option to ESPN as a “five-by-five” system using the same 18 teams from the first proposal. The five worst-performing franchises would receive identical lottery chances, with decreasing odds for remaining teams. Separate drawings would determine the top five selections, followed by another drawing for the other 13 positions.

Teams among the five worst that don’t secure top-five picks would be guaranteed no worse than 10th position in the second lottery.

Commissioner Adam Silver informed owners Wednesday that changes are necessary following widespread criticism this season regarding teams positioning themselves for advantageous spots in the talent-rich 2026 draft class.

“I do think ultimately this is a decision that needs to be made at the ownership level,” Silver said. “It has business implications, has basketball implications, has integrity, integrity, implications for the league.

ESPN reports that modifications to all proposals are anticipated before owners conduct a formal vote in May.

American soccer star Catarina Macario has made a major move back to the United States, leaving Chelsea to sign with the San Diego Wave in what officials are calling one of the most lucrative deals in women’s professional soccer.

The forward, who lived in San Diego during her youth after relocating from Brazil, has agreed to a contract extending through the 2030 season. The deal was made possible through the NWSL’s recently established High Impact Player Rule, which was introduced last December and permits teams to exceed salary cap limits by up to $1 million for designated star players.

“Cat is a world-class player who has consistently performed at the highest levels of the game,” Wave Sporting Director and General Manager Camille Ashton said in a media release. “She is an intelligent, technical and creative attacker with exceptional vision and composure in the final third.”

After obtaining U.S. citizenship in 2020, Macario moved to Chelsea in 2023 where she contributed to the team’s consecutive Women’s Super League championships over two seasons. During her tenure in London, she also helped secure an FA Cup and League Cup for the club.

Her international resume includes 16 goals across 29 matches since making her debut in 2021. Macario was also part of the U.S. squad that earned bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

“From my first conversations with the club, I felt the ambition and the vision for what we can accomplish together, including bringing trophies to this city,” said Macario, who will be presented to supporters during Saturday’s home match halftime ceremony.

“I’m grateful for the belief they’ve shown in me, and I can’t wait to get started and give everything for this team and my community.”

Major League Baseball’s introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike System produced a 61.3% success rate for teams challenging umpire calls during the opening 12 games of the regular season, with clubs winning 19 of their 31 appeals.

Cincinnati manager Terry Francona experienced both sides of the new technology during his team’s 3-0 defeat to Boston on Thursday. The Reds saw two crucial full-count situations reversed – Eugenio Suárez’s fourth-inning walk became a strikeout, while Connor Phillips’ ninth-inning strikeout of Roman Anthony was changed to a walk.

“I think our pitchers are going to have to get used to thinking the inning might be over, and it’s not,” Francona said. “It’s almost like when a guy comes out and you say, ‘Hey, way to go. Can you get one more?’ So you’re going to have to stay dialed in.”

The system employs Hawk-Eye technology with 12 cameras that track whether pitches pass through the strike zone with precision of approximately one-sixth of an inch.

Boston skipper Alex Cora expressed satisfaction with his team’s 2-for-3 challenge performance, though he noted one missed opportunity. Trevor Story was called out looking on what appeared to be a high fastball from Andrew Abbott with two outs and runners in scoring position during the fifth inning.

“You just have to make sure. There was one early where Trevor is in that situation again, he’d probably challenge,” Cora said. “We thought the pitch was up. We don’t mind him challenging there because it changes the whole thing, right? We were talking about it. It’s a different ballgame now.”

The Red Sox did capitalize on a successful challenge later that inning when catcher Carlos Narváez questioned a ball call on Garrett Crochet’s cutter to Suárez. The replay showed the pitch caught the bottom edge of the strike zone, ending the inning instead of loading the bases.

“He made a really good pitch right there. I thought it stayed down and it was a ball, but with the new ABS, good for him,” Suárez said.

Anthony’s successful challenge proved pivotal for Boston’s victory. What initially appeared to be the final out of the ninth became a walk, placing runners on first and second. Story and Jarren Duran then delivered consecutive RBI singles to secure the 3-0 advantage.

“I knew it was a ball. I was pretty confident,” Anthony said. “It turned the game around in a sense. It was good to turn that around, get on base and score there. I trust my instincts and discipline at the plate. I’ve had many in the past, up, down, in and out. That was a good example. Probably not even close. Just kind of knew it there.”

Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz became the first player to have a walk overturned to a strikeout when New York catcher Francisco Alvarez challenged during the third inning. The replay confirmed the pitch hit the inside corner. The Mets finished 2-for-3 on their challenges.

Minnesota and Chicago White Sox both achieved 3-for-4 success rates on their appeals, while Tampa Bay went perfect at 2-for-2.

Philadelphia reliever Zach Pop experienced the system’s first failed challenge in the eighth inning against Texas. Pop questioned James Hoye’s ball four call to Brandon Nimmo, but replay confirmed the umpire’s decision and Nimmo took his base.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson supported the decision to challenge despite the outcome.

“I was good with it. It was a 10th of an inch off. That pitch decided an at-bat late in the game, we’ve got the lead. On the defensive side you want to use that challenge,” he said.

Iran’s national men’s soccer team made a somber tribute during their friendly match against Nigeria in Turkey on Friday, displaying schoolbags and wearing black armbands while their national anthem played in memory of victims from a deadly school attack.

The demonstration took place in Belek, Turkey, as the team prepared for the upcoming World Cup scheduled to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Iran’s participation in the tournament remains uncertain due to the current conflict situation.

Players stood in formation carrying pink and purple bags adorned with ribbons, symbolizing the tragic incident at Shajareh Tayyebeh School. According to Tehran officials, the attack claimed the lives of more than 175 individuals, including students and educators, occurring on the opening day of coordinated U.S.-Israeli military operations.

“The players are holding the school bags close to their heart in remembrance of the 165 girls the Americans killed in an Iranian school,” an Iranian team media official explained to Reuters.

U.S. military investigators acknowledge the likelihood of American forces being involved in the incident, though their investigation has not yet reached completion or final determination.

This protest follows a similar demonstration earlier this month when members of Iran’s women’s soccer team remained silent during the national anthem at an Asian Cup competition, prompting Tehran’s state television to label them “traitors.”

President Donald Trump recently stated that while Iran’s national team would be permitted to compete in the United States, concerns exist regarding their “life and safety” during such participation.

Iran’s football federation has entered into discussions with FIFA, soccer’s international governing organization, about potentially relocating their World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico instead.

The team is scheduled to face Costa Rica in another friendly match on Tuesday, also taking place in Turkey.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Predators always believed they belonged in the playoffs. Making that belief a reality has taken much longer than anyone anticipated.

A team that sat at the bottom of the entire NHL as recently as December 8th now finds itself in the Western Conference’s second wild-card position with just 10 regular season games remaining. The Predators trail Utah by only three points for the top wild-card spot and hold an extra game to play.

“I think each and every one in this room thought we’d be here, and I think that’s really all that matters,” Predators forward Filip Forsberg said. “Whatever’s going on outside this room is out of our control. Since the trade deadline, I think everyone’s been bought in.”

Nashville saw their five-game winning streak end Thursday in a 4-2 defeat to New Jersey, but the team has battled back from a deficit that left them 11 points behind the final playoff position. Their record stands at 24-15-5 since December 9th.

“We just got to keep doing everything we can to stay on top,” Forsberg said.

Playoff expectations were high following Nashville’s aggressive free agency moves in July 2024. General Manager Barry Trotz brought in two-time Stanley Cup winner Steven Stamkos, 2023 playoff MVP Jonathan Marchessault, and defenseman Brady Skjei, making the Predators Stanley Cup favorites.

Instead, Nashville completely failed to reach the postseason, finishing ahead of only San Jose and Chicago in the NHL standings.

Making matters worse, the team dropped two positions in the draft lottery.

The Predators spent considerable time during the offseason analyzing their failures. However, they struggled early again this season. The situation worsened when captain Roman Josi suffered an upper-body injury just eight games into the campaign, sidelining him for 12 contests.

Stamkos sparked the revival.

Following a disappointing start with just six goals and three assists in his first 25 games, Stamkos found his scoring touch in December with 12 goals. He currently paces Nashville with 36 goals, marking only the fourth time a Predators player has reached at least 35 goals in a season.

Coach Andrew Brunette praised Stamkos’s response to the early struggles, calling it remarkable that the veteran never changed his approach.

“I mean, I considered myself a pretty good team player,” Brunette said. “I’m not sure I would handle things the way he handled it where he just came to work every day and try to help as many people as he could. That’s why you’re so ecstatic he took off.”

Other Nashville veterans have contributed significantly to the turnaround. Josi has recorded 30 points since January 11th, ranking fifth among all defensemen, while Forsberg has tallied 12 points during the team’s last five contests.

Marchessault has contributed 10 assists this month alone, including three in Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over San Jose.

“He’s obviously been battling through a couple things during the season, but now this is what we brought him here for, you know, the end of the season,” Forsberg said of Marchessault. “And he’s showing some incredible playmaking.”

Trotz, who revealed his retirement plans on February 2nd, maintained faith in his expensive veterans and only dealt four players with expiring contracts before the trade deadline.

This approach created additional opportunities for young players, with Nashville’s six rookies combining for 201 games this season, seventh-most league-wide. These first-year players have scored 25 goals, ranking 10th in the NHL. Following Reid Schaefer’s goal Thursday, the rookies have accumulated 15 points since March 5th, with center Matthew Wood leading the way with six goals during that span.

Forward Luke Evangelista, who has established career highs with 40 assists and 50 points, believes the difficult journey has strengthened team chemistry.

“It feels like we’ve seen the lowest of lows together, and we’ve dragged ourselves out of the mud and we did it together as a group and I think that just kind of built that toughness,” Evangelista said.

Nashville isn’t alone in their remarkable comeback this season. Buffalo climbed from last place in the Eastern Conference on December 13th to first in the Atlantic Division by March 8th. Columbus also rebounded from the bottom of the East on January 12th following a coaching change, rising to second in the Metropolitan Division.

The Predators have strong motivation to maintain their push through the regular season’s conclusion.

Securing the first wild-card position would mean facing the Pacific Division champion instead of NHL points leader Colorado in the opening round. Nashville begins a challenging six-game road trip Sunday, with five teams within six points of their current position.

“Every game from here on out is going to be a playoff type game for us,” Skjei said.

This morning’s sports roundup was scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2026, but no specific sports content or updates were available in the provided material.

The segment was part of the regular morning sports programming, though details about games, scores, or athletic events were not included in the source information.

Washington’s Alex Ovechkin delivered his 34th career three-goal performance Thursday night, leading the Capitals in a dramatic comeback from a two-goal deficit to defeat Utah 7-4 in Salt Lake City.

The superstar forward now has 29 goals this season, marking his second hat trick of the campaign, while extending his NHL-record career total to 926 goals.

Ivan Miroshnichenko notched his first two goals of the season, while Anthony Beauvillier and Rasmus Sandin each contributed one goal and one assist for Washington. Goaltender Logan Thompson turned away 36 shots in the victory.

For Utah, Dylan Guenther found the net twice, and both Mikhail Sergachev and Clayton Keller recorded three assists each. Goalie Vitek Vanecek surrendered six goals on 23 shots before getting pulled midway through the final period, with Karel Vejmelka making one save in relief.

Ducks 3, Flames 2 (OT)

Mikael Granlund capped off his three-goal night with a dramatic overtime winner in the final seconds, lifting visiting Anaheim past Calgary.

John Carlson recorded two assists and Ville Husso made 23 saves for the Ducks, who have now won four consecutive games. Taking advantage of Calgary’s second too-many-men penalty of the contest, Anaheim enjoyed a power play late in overtime, with Granlund finishing a one-timer from the high slot just before time expired.

Blake Coleman and Matvei Gridin scored for Calgary, ending their four-game winning streak. Olli Maatta contributed two assists, while Devin Cooley made 30 saves.

Wild 3, Panthers 2

Marcus Foligno scored in his return from injury and Joel Eriksson Ek netted the winning goal with just five seconds remaining as Minnesota beat Florida in Sunrise, Fla.

Ryan Hartman also scored for the Wild, with Jesper Wallstedt making 18 saves. The game held special significance for Foligno, who played alongside his brother Nick for the first time since they were in sixth and ninth grades respectively. Nick Foligno joined Minnesota from Chicago earlier this month.

Matthew Tkachuk recorded a goal and assist while Aaron Ekblad also scored for Florida, which received 47 saves from backup goaltender Daniil Tarasov. The Panthers have dropped four of their last six contests (2-4-0).

Canadiens 2, Blue Jackets 1

Zachary Bolduc scored the decisive goal early in the third period and assisted on Montreal’s other tally in a victory over visiting Columbus.

Jayden Struble also found the net for Montreal, which has won three straight games. Jakub Dobes stopped 25 shots.

Damon Severson scored while Jet Greaves made 18 saves for Columbus, which has lost two of its last three contests.

Islanders 2, Stars 1

New York secured crucial points in their playoff chase with a victory over Dallas in Elmont, N.Y.

Bo Horvat reached the 30-goal milestone for the fourth time in his career, and Calum Ritchie also scored. Matthew Schaefer assisted on both goals. Ilya Sorokin came within 2:59 of a shutout, making 26 saves. Combined with Pittsburgh’s victory over Ottawa, the result moved the Islanders back into the final Eastern Conference wild-card position.

Matt Duchene scored for Dallas, which suffered its fourth consecutive loss, marking their longest slide since a 0-3-3 stretch from late December to early January. Jake Oettinger, who was pulled after one period in his previous start against New Jersey, stopped 23 shots.

Kraken 4, Lightning 3 (OT)

Brandon Montour scored twice, including the overtime winner at 2:47, as Seattle prevailed at Tampa Bay.

Kaapo Kakko and Bobby McCann each recorded a goal and assist for the Kraken, who ended a four-game winless streak (0-3-1). Philipp Grubauer made 30 saves for Seattle.

Jake Guentzel had a goal and assist, while Anthony Cirelli and Corey Perry also scored for Tampa Bay, which extended its point streak to six games (4-0-2). Charle-Edouard D’Astous added two assists. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 15 of 19 shots.

Penguins 4, Senators 3 (SO)

Egor Chinakhov and Ben Kindel scored in the shootout to give Pittsburgh a victory over host Ottawa.

Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby departed early in the second period with a lower-body injury and did not return. Rickard Rakell tallied two goals and an assist while Erik Karlsson contributed one goal and two assists. Stuart Skinner made 26 saves through regulation and overtime, then stopped two of Ottawa’s three shootout attempts.

Drake Batherson scored twice and netted the shootout goal while Nick Cousins added a goal for Ottawa, ending their four-game winning streak. Tim Stutzle recorded two assists. Linus Ullmark made 35 saves through regulation and overtime but stopped only one of three shootout attempts.

Additional Results:

Philadelphia dominated visiting Chicago 5-1, with Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates and Alex Bump each recording a goal and assist. New Jersey defeated Nashville 4-2 behind Nico Hischier’s second deflected goal of the night. Colorado beat Winnipeg 3-2 as Nathan MacKinnon scored twice in the third period. Edmonton topped Vegas 4-3 in overtime, with Connor McDavid becoming the third-fastest player to reach 800 career assists. Los Angeles shut out Vancouver 4-0 behind Darcy Kuemper’s 19 saves, and St. Louis edged San Jose 2-1 in overtime.

Jacob Misiorowski delivered a dominant performance on the mound, recording 11 strikeouts across five innings to power the Milwaukee Brewers to a commanding 14-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Thursday’s season opener for both clubs.

The hard-throwing Misiorowski (1-0) recovered quickly after surrendering a leadoff home run to Chase Meidroth, limiting Chicago to just one additional hit – a fourth-inning single – while issuing three walks over his 94-pitch appearance.

Misiorowski’s 11-strikeout effort established a new Opening Day franchise record for Milwaukee, breaking the previous mark of eight strikeouts that had been achieved three times, with Freddy Peralta being the most recent to accomplish the feat last season. The Brewers’ pitching staff collectively established a franchise milestone with 20 strikeouts, matching the major league standard for a nine-inning contest.

Offensively, Sal Frelick and Jake Bauers connected for home runs, with Bauers and William Contreras each contributing three RBIs. Six additional Brewers players recorded at least one RBI in the offensive explosion. For Chicago, Munetaka Murakami celebrated his major league debut with a home run.

Dodgers 8, Diamondbacks 2

Los Angeles continued their championship celebration with a decisive victory over visiting Arizona, as Andy Pages launched a three-run homer and Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered six solid innings on the mound.

Will Smith added a home run while driving in three runs for the Dodgers, who honored their back-to-back World Series championships by displaying both the 2024 and 2025 trophies on the field during pre-game ceremonies. Yamamoto (1-0) struck out six batters while surrendering two runs on five hits without issuing a walk.

Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo contributed two hits, including a two-run homer. Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen struggled through four-plus innings, allowing four runs on five hits.

Guardians 6, Mariners 4

Rookie Chase DeLauter made an immediate impact in his first regular-season appearance, belting two home runs to lead Cleveland past Seattle.

Jose Ramirez delivered the decisive blow with a two-out, two-run double in the seventh inning to break the tie for the Guardians. Relief pitcher Connor Brogdon (1-0) earned the victory, while Cade Smith secured the save with a perfect ninth inning.

Seattle’s Dominic Canzone matched DeLauter with two solo homers, and Brendan Donovan and Luke Raley each added solo shots for the Mariners.

Tigers 8, Padres 2

Kevin McGonigle made baseball history by doubling in his first two major league at-bats and finished with a 4-for-5 performance as Detroit defeated San Diego on the road.

Dillon Dingler homered and knocked in three runs for the Tigers. Starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (1-0) was masterful over six innings, allowing three hits and one unearned run while walking none and striking out six.

Ramon Laureano provided San Diego’s lone bright spot with a solo homer. Padres starter Nick Pivetta (0-1) lasted only three innings, surrendering seven hits and six runs.

Phillies 5, Rangers 3

Cristopher Sanchez dominated with 10 strikeouts over six shutout innings, while Kyle Schwarber and Alec Bohm each homered to propel Philadelphia past Texas at home.

Fresh off signing a six-year contract extension on Sunday, Sanchez (1-0) capped his outstanding outing by striking out three consecutive batters in the sixth inning. He scattered three hits without issuing a walk.

Texas’s Jake Burger collected three hits, including a two-run homer in the ninth inning. Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi (0-1) was charged with five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Red Sox 3, Reds 0

Garrett Crochet tossed six scoreless innings and Ceddanne Rafaela broke a scoreless deadlock in the seventh with an RBI single to guide Boston past Cincinnati on the road.

Roman Anthony collected three hits, while Trevor Story and Jarren Duran added insurance RBI singles in the ninth for the Red Sox. Crochet (1-0) allowed three hits, walked two and struck out eight, with Aroldis Chapman throwing a perfect ninth inning for the save.

Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart also recorded three hits, becoming the first Reds rookie since 1958 to collect three hits on Opening Day. Andrew Abbott matched Crochet’s effort with six shutout innings.

Orioles 2, Twins 1

Trevor Rogers threw seven scoreless innings and Baltimore scored late to defeat visiting Minnesota, giving Craig Albernaz a victory in his major league managerial debut.

Rogers held the Twins to three hits and four walks while striking out five. Adley Rutschman contributed two hits, including a double. In a decisive two-run seventh inning, Colton Cowser lifted a sacrifice fly and Blaze Alexander drove in a run in his first game wearing an Orioles uniform.

Minnesota managed only three singles through seven innings and lost Derek Shelton’s first game as the team’s manager. In the eighth, Byron Buxton tripled and scored on Luke Keaschall’s sacrifice fly. Twins starter Joe Ryan allowed one hit and two walks while striking out seven in 5 1/3 shutout innings.

Mets 11, Pirates 7

Brett Baty’s three-run triple highlighted a five-run first inning explosion, and New York chased defending National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes after just two outs en route to a home victory over Pittsburgh.

Rookie Carson Benge and Francisco Alvarez connected for back-to-back homers in the sixth for the Mets, who improved their major league-best Opening Day record to 42-23. Pittsburgh’s Brandon Lowe launched two home runs in the losing effort.

Skenes (0-1) endured the shortest outing of his career, allowing five runs and four hits. Mets starter Freddy Peralta (1-0) permitted four runs while striking out seven over five innings.

Nationals 10, Cubs 4

Joey Wiemer, Jacob Young and Brady House all homered, and Washington’s bullpen contributed 5 1/3 innings of one-run relief to power the visiting Nationals past Chicago.

Wiemer went 3-for-3 to ignite an 11-hit offensive attack in his team debut, which also marked the first game for Nationals manager Blake Butera. House recorded two hits and two RBIs while CJ Abrams and Young each drove in two runs.

Chicago’s Michael Busch collected three hits and Pete Crow-Armstrong added two, but the Cubs struggled with runners in scoring position, going 4-for-19 while leaving nine men on base.

Angels 3, Astros 0

Mike Trout homered, walked three times and stole a base, while Jose Soriano struck out seven over six shutout innings to lead visiting Los Angeles past Houston.

The home run was the 405th of Trout’s career, as the three-time American League MVP made his club-record 14th Opening Day start in center field. Los Angeles captured their first road Opening Day victory since April 1, 2013, at Cincinnati in Kurt Suzuki’s major league managerial debut.

Nolan Schanuel also went deep and Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless ninth to earn a save. Houston’s AJ Blubaugh (0-1) surrendered one run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings while striking out three. Astros starter Hunter Brown scattered four singles and struck out nine over 4 2/3 shutout innings.

Cardinals 9, Rays 7

Alec Burleson capped an eight-run sixth inning with a two-run homer to help St. Louis rally for a victory against visiting Tampa Bay.

Burleson’s blast came after the Rays had scored six runs in the top half of the sixth to take a 7-1 lead. Burleson finished with three hits, scored twice and drove in two. Nathan Church contributed three hits, drove in two and robbed a home run, while JJ Wetherholt homered in his major league debut.

Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Aranda homered and singled. Yandy Diaz, Ben Williamson and Nick Fortes each collected three hits and scored one run, while Jonny DeLuca added two hits and two RBIs.

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA suffered a legal setback Thursday when a federal court rejected their emergency request to prevent DraftKings from utilizing trademarked phrases connected to college basketball tournaments.

The lawsuit for trademark violation, submitted to the Southern District of Indiana court last week, sought to prohibit DraftKings from employing ‘March Madness,’ ‘Final Four,’ ‘Elite Eight,’ and ‘Sweet Sixteen,’ along with similar variations, in their marketing efforts.

Judge Tanya Walton Pratt determined the NCAA failed to demonstrate that the sports betting company’s usage of these phrases would result in irreparable damage.

‘With further discovery the NCAA may be able to show they are entitled to a preliminary or permanent injunction, and those claims remain pending,’ Pratt wrote.

In court documents filed Wednesday responding to the NCAA’s lawsuit, DraftKings argued they have utilized ‘March Madness’ and related terminology when referencing the NCAA Tournament for over five years and possess the legal authority to continue doing so.

The NCAA maintains it deliberately distances itself from any association with gambling activities and argued in their legal filing that DraftKings’ usage of the trademarked terms creates customer confusion by suggesting NCAA endorsement.

For the third consecutive year, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has claimed the number one position in Major League Baseball jersey sales as teams prepare for opening day, according to an announcement from MLB on Thursday.

Fellow Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto secured second place in the rankings, while New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge landed in third. Seattle’s catcher Cal Raleigh took fourth position, with Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts rounding out the top five.

The last player besides Ohtani to claim the sales crown was Atlanta’s outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who held the top position during the 2023 All-Star break. However, Ohtani regained his dominance by season’s end and has maintained his streak for three years.

Completing the top ten were Arizona third baseman Nolan Arenado, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, Baltimore first baseman Pete Alonso, Boston outfielder Roman Anthony, and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Both Raleigh and Anthony achieved their first appearances in the top ten rankings.

The sales data comes from Fanatics’ online platforms, including MLBShop.com, tracking purchases made following the conclusion of last season’s World Series, where the Dodgers captured their second consecutive championship.

The indoor golf league TGL is experiencing remarkable financial growth following the completion of its second season.

According to a Thursday report from Sportico, one TGL franchise recently sold a minority ownership share valued at $100 million, while several other teams have completed transactions exceeding $90 million.

The season concluded this week when Los Angeles Golf Club claimed the SoFi Cup championship, defeating Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links team in a decisive 2-0 series. LAGC’s roster features Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, and British golfers Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian leads LAGC’s ownership group alongside tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams. Now, Ohanian has expanded his golf investments by acquiring a franchise in WTGL, the planned women’s version of the league.

“All it takes is a couple of generational talents on a big enough stage to change the entire perception of the sport,” Ohanian told Sportico. “Golf is one of those sports that is so on the precipice. You can see it online. You can see the creator economy telling the story of this sport. This format of TGL is so perfect for the online generation. Again, I say this as a Reddit guy. Take my word for it. It is perfectly built for the social media age.”

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank became the first investor to secure a WTGL franchise, with Ohanian following as the second buyer. Sportico reports both entrepreneurs paid approximately $20 million for their teams.

The indoor golf concept debuted in January 2025, created through a partnership between Woods, Rory McIlroy, and media executive Mike McCarley. The league plans to expand from its current six teams to seven in 2027 when Motor City Golf Club joins representing Detroit.

While WTGL is scheduled to begin play sometime this year, additional details about the women’s league remain limited.

Boston College has selected a championship-winning assistant from the University of Connecticut to take over their men’s basketball program, announcing Thursday that Luke Murray will become their new head coach as the school looks to revitalize their struggling program.

The 40-year-old Murray has served on the UConn coaching staff since 2021 and is recognized within the program as a key developer of the offensive system that led the Huskies to consecutive national titles in 2023 and 2024.

Athletic director Blake James described the appointment as a comprehensive program overhaul for the modern era.

“Today marks a turning point in Boston College Men’s Basketball,” James said. “In Luke Murray, we have found a leader who does not just understand the modern landscape of college basketball – he has helped define it. His role in building a national championship caliber program, his sophisticated offensive vision, and his relentless pursuit of excellence make him the perfect fit to lead our student-athletes.”

Murray happens to be the son of famous comedy actor Bill Murray, who has become a familiar face at UConn basketball games over the past few years.

“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to lead the Boston College men’s basketball program,” Murray said. “Boston College alumni and fans will find our program defined by a standard of excellence, and our team will play an unselfish, tough and highly competitive brand of basketball.”

Murray brings extensive assistant coaching experience from multiple programs, including Louisville from 2018 to 2021 and Xavier from 2015 to 2018. He also worked alongside current UConn head coach Dan Hurley during earlier stops at Rhode Island from 2013 to 2015 and Wagner from 2010 to 2011. Murray will continue with the Huskies through their current NCAA Tournament run, as the second-seeded team prepares to take on third-seeded Michigan State in Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup in Washington, D.C.

American tennis sensation Coco Gauff powered her way into the Miami Open championship match Thursday, overwhelming Karolina Muchova with a decisive 6-1, 6-1 victory that showcased her elite-level dominance.

The world’s fourth-ranked player will now compete in her sixth WTA 1000 final when she takes the court Saturday for the title match.

Despite falling behind early when Muchova captured the opening game with an immediate service break, Gauff quickly turned the tables on her Czech opponent. The 20-year-old American answered back by breaking serve to even the score, then went on an incredible tear by claiming every remaining game in the opening set without surrendering a single point in the final games.

Muchova entered Thursday’s semifinal riding high after claiming the Doha championship earlier this year and defeating Victoria Mboko in Miami’s quarterfinal round – a rematch of their Doha title bout. However, the 29-year-old’s strong recent form crumbled under pressure as mistakes mounted throughout the second set.

Gauff capitalized on her opponent’s struggles by securing three service breaks in the final set, wrapping up her comprehensive win while maintaining her flawless 6-0 career record against Muchova in head-to-head matchups.

Saturday’s final opponent will be determined when either Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina emerges victorious from Thursday evening’s second semifinal clash between the two tennis powerhouses.

NEW YORK (TV Delmarva) — A Ukrainian skeleton athlete who was barred from Olympic competition found himself addressing the United Nations instead — an opportunity he never anticipated.

Vladyslav Heraskevych was prohibited from participating in the Milan Cortina Games due to his intention to compete wearing a helmet that honored victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On Thursday, he addressed a panel at the U.N., explaining why he remains convinced his choice was correct.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Change the World Model United Nations, an educational program for thousands of students, Heraskevych emphasized the broader purpose of athletics. “I think it’s important that we use this stage and talk about important things,” he stated. “Sometimes it feels like, in all these hours of training, we really forgot about the overall mission of sports. It is not only about the medals, but it’s also about values that we represent.”

The athlete shared the stage with Shiva Amini, a former Iranian women’s soccer player now living in exile in New York. Amini received asylum in Switzerland in 2017 after facing government threats for being photographed playing soccer with men without wearing the required hijab.

“We can save lives with sport,” Heraskevych declared during his presentation. “Sport gave people some hope.”

Olympic officials determined that his determination to wear the commemorative helmet violated “the Olympic Charter and Guidelines on Athlete Expression,” resulting in his competition ban. While Heraskevych used the helmet during practice sessions, the International Olympic Committee requested he switch to different headgear for actual races. Officials proposed alternatives, including wearing a memorial armband or displaying the helmet after leaving the ice.

During Thursday’s session, organizers read the names of the Ukrainian athletes featured on Heraskevych’s “memory helmet,” prompting applause from the audience.

Although his Olympic dreams ended with the competition ban, Heraskevych’s athletic career continues. He plans to participate in several World Cup events during the upcoming season, including a race at the Cortina d’Ampezzo track where he was previously denied the chance to compete. He’s also setting his sights on the 2030 Olympics.

The United Nations invitation caught him off guard. “It wasn’t part of my bucket list,” he admitted with a smile.

Since the Olympics concluded, Heraskevych has maintained a busy schedule. Together with his father, he’s operating a foundation supporting Ukrainian individuals and organizations, with generator distribution being a key focus due to widespread power outages and electrical grid instability. He continues seeking ways to commemorate the two dozen athletes and coaches represented on his banned helmet, while using his physics background to help address war-related challenges in his homeland.

Cultural promotion has also become part of his mission. He appeared at Thursday’s event wearing a vyshyvanka, Ukraine’s traditional embroidered shirt, and plans to showcase his country’s cuisine internationally.

“My goal is to get support and get awareness for Ukraine,” Heraskevych explained, “and not only about the war in Ukraine.”

Despite multiple opportunities for reflection over recent weeks, he maintains confidence in his decision to insist on wearing the helmet, despite knowing it could cost him his Olympic participation. He expresses no second thoughts about his choice.

“I believe I had the full right to wear this helmet, and to me, not wearing it would be like a betraying of my principles,” Heraskevych stated. “The people pictured on the helmet were victims of the war. It’s not right to betray them, too. … No, these people sacrificed their lives. They were not afraid. It’s not right to betray them. So, I don’t feel any regret. I regret that I could not participate, but it was not my fault.”

A new gender testing policy from the International Olympic Committee has sparked fierce debate Thursday, with advocates on both sides presenting vastly different views on its impact for competitive athletics.

Those backing the IOC’s decision argue the policy provides much-needed protection for women’s competitions and offers clear guidance to sports organizations globally.

Fiona McAnena, who leads campaigns for the UK advocacy organization Sex Matters, praised the decision as “extremely welcome.”

“Women’s sport can only be for those who are female,” McAnena stated during a Reuters interview. “The IOC sets the standard for sport worldwide. It’s very welcome that the IOC has recognised that the only way to have fair sport for women and girls is to have a protected female category.”

McAnena emphasized the importance of IOC leadership rather than forcing individual sports to handle these complex issues independently.

“Their influence is enormous,” she explained. “Many sports used the IOC’s previous policies to justify not protecting the female category. That’s why I’m really pleased the IOC has called this policy ‘protecting the female category’.”

She disputed claims that broader inclusion automatically boosts participation rates.

“We know that women and girls drop out of sport when they are forced to compete with boys, or when they find that changing rooms or playing fields are not single-sex when they thought they would be,” she said.

Despite her general support, McAnena identified shortcomings in the policy. She criticized the IOC’s choice not to apply the rules retroactively, arguing this fails to correct previous inequities.

“We know that three women were cheated of medals in the Rio Olympics, deprived let’s say, by male athletes with disorders of sex development in the 800 metres,” she said. “It seems a shame that that cannot be put right for those three women.”

During the 2016 Olympics, Caster Semenya, Francine Niyonsaba and Margaret Wambui won medals in the women’s 800 meters, with all three having differences of sexual development (DSD).

Since 2019, all three have been banned from women’s 800-meter competition after World Athletics implemented stricter eligibility rules for events between 400 meters and one mile.

These regulations mandate that DSD athletes medically lower their naturally elevated testosterone levels to participate in those events.

Semenya declined to comply, contending the rules were discriminatory and infringed on her rights. Wambui hasn’t competed since the regulations took effect seven years ago, while Niyonsaba moved to longer distances.

McAnena also criticized an exception in the policy for athletes diagnosed with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS), stating it still permits some male advantages, though diminished.

Critics of the IOC’s decision contend it lacks scientific foundation and threatens athlete welfare, especially young competitors.

Dr. Payoshni Mitra, who founded the advocacy organization Humans of Sport, called the ruling “a safeguarding disaster” and suggested political motivations rather than scientific evidence drove the decision.

“It’s not science-based, it’s stigma-based,” Mitra told Reuters. “It’s more under political pressure rather than really what is required in women’s sport.”

Mitra expressed alarm that the policy covers minor athletes, as it will apply to all competitors in female events at the Olympics, Youth Olympics and qualifying competitions.

“As far as I know, there were about 14 minor athletes competing in the Paris Olympics,” Mitra noted.

The youngest participant was 11-year-old Chinese skateboarder Zheng Haohao.

She also raised questions about the decision’s timing, suggesting political factors surrounding the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles influenced the choice.

“(The U.S.) is a country where we are very aware that things are going in a direction which is not what progressive-minded people expected,” she said.

“The IOC could have focused on robust, independent research. But they rushed into this decision, which tells me this is all because of where the Summer Olympics is going to be hosted next.”

Mitra noted that sex-based eligibility requirements have historically affected women from Africa and Asia disproportionately.

Two-time Olympic champion Semenya joined eight other African women athletes with alleged sex variations in writing to IOC president Kirsty Coventry on Wednesday. Semenya had previously sent a similar letter to the President in June 2025.

“When I was asked to be consulted, I made one thing clear: I will not be used as a token voice,” Semenya said. “Consultation means nothing if you have already decided. It means nothing if you have not sat with our stories, our pain, what our bodies have been put through in the name of sport.

“If the IOC had truly listened — if President Coventry had done what evidence-based policy demands — this policy would not exist. It does not smell of science. It smells of stigma. It was not born from care for athletes. It was born from political pressure.

“As a woman from Africa, I had hoped President Coventry would be different. I had hoped she would listen to all of us — not just the powerful, not just the comfortable. She failed us.”

In 2023, World Athletics prohibited transgender women who experienced male puberty from competing and strengthened its DSD regulations, reducing acceptable testosterone levels and requiring sustained medical suppression for eligibility.

Female competitors at last year’s world championships underwent mandatory genetic testing to meet the requirements.

“We have led the way in protecting women’s sport over the last decade,” a World Athletics spokesperson stated Thursday.

“Attracting and retaining more girls and women into sport requires a fair and level playing field where there is no biological glass ceiling. This means that gender cannot trump biology. A consistent approach across all sport has to be a good thing.”

Duke basketball point guard Caleb Foster may take the court Friday night when the Blue Devils face St. John’s in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 round.

Head coach Jon Scheyer announced Thursday that Foster’s availability will be determined just before tip-off as the top-seeded Blue Devils (34-2) square off against Rick Pitino’s fifth-seeded Red Storm (30-6) in East Region action in Washington, D.C.

The junior guard broke his foot during Duke’s final regular season matchup with North Carolina at home, sidelining him for the entire ACC tournament and the Blue Devils’ opening two NCAA Tournament contests.

According to Scheyer, Foster took part in Wednesday’s practice on a restricted basis, with team medical staff continuing to evaluate his condition leading up to game time.

“He’s going to give it everything he has to go (Friday) night,” Scheyer said.

Meanwhile, center Patrick Ngongba II is anticipated to be available for action.

Ngongba, who has been dealing with his own foot injury, sat out five contests but returned to play in Duke’s commanding 81-58 second-round victory over TCU last Saturday. The typical starter came off the bench for 13 minutes, contributing four points, four rebounds and four assists.

Foster has been a key contributor this season, starting 30 of 31 games while averaging 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. He has connected on 39 of 97 three-point attempts for a 40.2% success rate.

Ngongba has posted averages of 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 60.7% from the floor across 30 games with 28 starts. His 33 blocked shots lead the team.

In a Thursday interview, legendary quarterback Tom Brady disclosed that he has explored the possibility of returning from retirement, though the league made it clear such a move would not be welcomed.

During his conversation with CNBC, the seven-time Super Bowl winner and current minority stakeholder in the Las Vegas Raiders addressed whether he had researched league policies about owners returning to active play.

“I actually have inquired, and they (the NFL) don’t like that idea very much, so I’m going to leave it at that,” Brady said. “We explored a lot of different things, and I’m very happily retired. Let me say that, too.”

This wouldn’t mark Brady’s initial attempt at unretiring. The three-time MVP previously stepped away from football following the 2022 offseason after spending two seasons with Tampa Bay. However, he reversed course just 40 days later, returning for one final campaign before officially hanging up his cleats in February 2023.

Brady made headlines recently during his appearance in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, taking the field with stars like Jalen Hurts, Devonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, and Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty. The event also saw him reconnect with longtime teammate Rob Gronkowski, his partner for 11 seasons and four Super Bowl victories.

NEW YORK — The Pittsburgh Pirates’ opening day turned into a nightmare as their ace pitcher Paul Skenes couldn’t make it through the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday.

The defending National League Cy Young Award winner surrendered five runs while recording just two outs, matching his career-worst performance for runs allowed. Manager Don Kelly was forced to remove the 23-year-old right-hander after he threw 37 pitches during a disastrous inning that saw the Mets send nine batters to the plate.

Skenes struggled with his control, issuing two walks and hitting a batter while allowing four hits in what became the briefest appearance of his 56 major league starts. Poor defensive play from center fielder Oneil Cruz significantly contributed to the meltdown.

The Pirates had taken an early 2-0 advantage thanks to Brandon Lowe’s two-run home run, but everything unraveled quickly in the bottom half of the first inning. Skenes began by walking leadoff hitter Francisco Lindor, then allowed a soft single to Juan Soto before Bo Bichette lifted a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit in half.

After Jorge Polanco managed an infield single and Skenes walked Luis Robert Jr. on 10 pitches, pitching coach Bill Murphy made a mound visit. The situation deteriorated when Cruz badly misplayed Brett Baty’s line drive, initially moving forward before watching the ball sail over his head for a bases-loaded triple.

Marcus Semien followed with a pop-up to shallow center field, but Cruz lost the ball in the sun and it dropped beside him for an RBI double, giving New York a 5-2 advantage. Cruz, originally a shortstop, transitioned to center field in 2024 before becoming a full-time outfielder last season.

Carson Benge struck out on three consecutive fastballs ranging from 96-98 mph in his first major league at-bat, but Skenes hit ninth-place hitter Francisco Alvarez with an 0-1 sinker, ending his afternoon. Mets supporters cheered loudly as the dejected pitcher made his way to the dugout.

Relief pitcher Yohan Ramírez entered and limited the damage by getting Lindor to fly out with runners on second and third base.

This marked Skenes’ second opening day assignment as he enters his third season in the majors. His performance made him just the eighth starting pitcher since 1906 to surrender five or more runs while failing to complete an inning in a season opener. The two-time All-Star had previously allowed five runs in a game on April 8, 2025, against St. Louis, though he pitched six innings in that contest.

The Milwaukee Brewers will begin their quest to defend their NL Central championship without star outfielder Jackson Chourio, who suffered a broken left hand during spring training activities.

Team officials announced Thursday that Chourio has been placed on the 10-day injured list, with the designation backdated to Wednesday. The timing comes just hours before Milwaukee’s season opener against the Chicago White Sox, with medical staff projecting a recovery period of two to four weeks.

“It’s rough, for sure,” Chourio said through interpreter Daniel de Mondesert. “You want to be out there with them. … I’ll be out here supporting them as I always am. It’s a long season. I’m looking forward to being back soon with them and getting to play a big part of it.”

The setback delivers a significant impact to Milwaukee’s offensive plans as they pursue their fourth consecutive division title. The 22-year-old Venezuelan has achieved the rare feat of recording 20-plus home runs and 20-plus stolen bases in both of his major league campaigns.

The hand problem initially surfaced on March 4 when Chourio took a hit-by-pitch from Washington’s Clayton Beeter during a spring exhibition between Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic squad and the Nationals in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Despite missing Venezuela’s opening two WBC contests, Chourio returned to help his national team capture the championship. However, when a check swing during this week’s exhibition series against Cincinnati in Milwaukee caused discomfort, medical imaging revealed a small hairline break at the base of his third metacarpal bone.

“We got another image on it and it looks like it’s fractured — very slightly — but it’s something we want to be really cautious with because of how much he means to our team,” Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said.

When questioned about whether the fracture originated from the March 4 incident, Arnold acknowledged uncertainty.

“It’s unclear,” Arnold said. “It could have been. It didn’t show up on any X-rays, so he was trying to play through it and was a little bit sore,” Arnold said. “It could have been one of those things, and it just gets a little aggravated against the Reds and showed up on that image.”

Arnold also addressed whether the organization might have preferred keeping Chourio from WBC competition following the initial incident.

“Any time you have guys in those types of situations, you always worry about it when they go play for somebody else,” Arnold said. “It’s certainly a possibility that a guy gets hurt. But it’s also a great event for the league. I really enjoyed obviously at the end of the series there with Venezuela and the United States. We were watching the game obviously with our scouting group — Venezuelan guys in the room and Dominican guys. It was a really fun event. I think it’s a great event for Major League Baseball.”

Last season, Chourio posted a .270 batting average with a .308 on-base percentage, alongside 21 home runs, 78 RBIs and 21 stolen bases across 131 games. Milwaukee secured his services in December 2023 with an eight-year, $82 million deal — the largest guaranteed contract ever given to a player without major league experience.

His postseason performance has been exceptional, posting a .341 average with a 1.044 OPS, four homers and 11 RBIs over 12 career playoff contests.

“Things are going to happen,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “You’ve got to be able to just not flinch. I’m disappointed for the kid because he was excited about this season, coming off the WBC the way he did.”

Outfielder Blake Perkins, originally slated for minor league assignment, will take Chourio’s roster position. The 29-year-old Perkins managed a .226 average with a .298 on-base percentage, three homers, 19 RBIs and seven steals in 54 appearances with Milwaukee last year.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” Perkins said. “Obviously things can change really quickly. I’m not happy obviously with why I’m here, but like in the past, I’ll do the best I can to fill my role and be a good teammate and be a winning ballplayer.”

Jake Bauers stepped into Chourio’s typical left field position for Tuesday’s contest. Bauers, who provides versatility at first base as well, compiled a .235 average with a .353 on-base percentage, seven homers, 28 RBIs and eight steals in 85 games during the previous campaign.

The 30-year-old Bauers enters the season following a strong spring training performance, going 18-for-39 with seven home runs during exhibition play.

Just twelve months ago, O’Mariah Gordon was directing plays as Florida State’s point guard during their NCAA Tournament run.

Today, the 5-foot-5 graduate student has completely switched gears, trading basketball courts for football fields at Warner University in Florida. Gordon has swapped shooting baskets for intercepting passes and covering receivers, opening up an unexpected pathway that could lead her to Germany this summer as part of the 2026 Team USA flag football squad for world championships. The ultimate goal? Making the Olympic team when flag football debuts at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Gordon isn’t alone in this athletic transformation. Loryn Goodwin, who was selected by the Dallas Wings in the second round of the WNBA draft, has also shifted her focus from the hardwood to the gridiron.

Because flag football remains such a developing sport, USA Football is actively recruiting talent from various athletic backgrounds. Both Gordon and Goodwin received invitations to training camps scheduled for this spring in Chula Vista, California. Their career changes may signal the beginning of a broader movement, with athletes transitioning from basketball courts, soccer fields, volleyball courts, and track venues to flag football.

“Friends that I have played basketball with are asking me, ‘How did you get into this? How did you start?’” Goodwin explained. The multi-school veteran who competed at North Texas, Butler, UTSA and Oklahoma State, where she received All-Big 12 recognition, added: “Anybody can play. To be elite, you’ve just got to put the time in.”

The transition from basketball to flag football makes sense given the overlapping skills. Rebounding translates well to timing passes, while defensive awareness and hand-eye coordination remain crucial in both sports. Additionally, both games feature 5-on-5 action with quick directional changes.

These transferable abilities have served Team USA receiver and defensive back Isabella “Izzy” Geraci well, as she’s become one of the world’s premier players after her basketball stint at Cleveland State and USC Upstate. She anticipates athletes of various sizes eventually joining flag football ranks.

“With the pace the sport’s going, there may be a lot of women who are interested in joining the game,” Geraci said, referencing her final 2022-23 season at USC Upstate where she started every game. “Some of those women may be 6-5, 6-6 — your freak athletes.”

Gordon concluded her Florida State career having accumulated over 1,000 points and earning All-ACC recognition. She believed her competitive sports days were behind her until a chance encounter at a Tampa sneaker convention last summer with Warner coach Tim Mimbs. Though she had some flag football experience in high school, it wasn’t recent.

“He’s like, ‘Want to give flag football a try again?’” Gordon recalled. “I took a chance on myself and here we are.”

Currently excelling as both a receiver with six touchdown catches and a safety with seven interceptions (two returned for scores), Gordon is simultaneously pursuing her master’s in business administration.

Gordon impressed at last week’s U.S. national team trials, earning her training camp invitation alongside Goodwin for April and May sessions. The men’s side saw Heisman winner and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III make the cut, while 66-year-old Hall of Famer Darrell Green’s comeback attempt fell short.

Following the dual training camps, selected participants will advance to a third camp in June. USA Football will then announce both the 2026 alternate players and the final 12-person rosters for men’s and women’s teams, continuing the talent identification process leading up to the Summer Olympics.

An Instagram video showcases Goodwin’s natural pass-catching ability during a backyard family game several years ago. Despite tight coverage from her college quarterback brother TJ, she broke free and secured a spectacular one-handed catch while tumbling to the ground.

Football runs in Goodwin’s family. Her brother Jayden played defensive back at Air Force, while cousin Marquise competed as an NFL receiver.

Though she played flag football as a child, Goodwin gravitated toward basketball and moved between colleges multiple times – “before transferring was cool,” she joked – due to coaching changes, family circumstances, and staff turnover. She found her ideal situation at Oklahoma State, averaging 20.6 points during the 2017-18 season when the Cowboys reached the NCAA Tournament’s second round.

Dallas selected Goodwin 18th overall, and she spent time with both the Wings and Los Angeles Sparks. Her professional basketball career included European play, which ended when she suffered a foot fracture.

That’s when flag football entered the picture.

A friend connected the 32-year-old Goodwin with a Florida team, though she didn’t realize it was an elite all-star squad.

“I was playing at the very highest level right off the bat with zero experience,” Goodwin reflected. “That’s wild to think about.”

That experience prepared her for this opportunity – a shot at making this year’s Team USA roster and potentially the Olympic team down the line.

“I’ve put,” Goodwin concluded, “everything into this.”

PRAGUE, March 26 – American figure skater Ilia Malinin put his Olympic disappointment behind him Thursday, taking command of the men’s competition after the short program at the World Championships, just one month following his surprising eighth-place showing in Milan.

The 21-year-old athlete, nicknamed the “Quad God,” delivered a spectacular performance that began with an impressive quadruple flip, continued with a quadruple Lutz, and concluded with a crowd-pleasing backflip that earned him a personal-best score of 111.29 points, positioning him well for what could be his third consecutive world championship.

France’s Adam Siao Him Fa sits in second place heading into Saturday’s free skate with 101.85 points, while Estonia’s Aleksandr Selevko holds an unexpected third position at 96.49 points.

Notably absent from the world championships is Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov, who claimed the surprising Olympic gold medal in Milan.

Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who earned Olympic silver, found himself in sixth place Thursday following a tumble during his triple Axel attempt.

Malinin entered this competition seeking to redeem himself after his Olympic performance collapsed due to what he described as overwhelming pressure and the enormity of the occasion.

Despite being the heavy favorite for Olympic gold in Milan, he buckled under intense expectations, with his free program falling apart in dramatic fashion.

Thursday’s short program score placed Malinin just below the world record of 113.97 points established by fellow American Nathan Chen in 2022.

The pairs free program competition is set to take place later Thursday.

A federal court in Manhattan has thrown out a legal case filed by Ukrainian tennis professional Lesia Tsurenko against the Women’s Tennis Association and its former leader Steve Simon, rejecting her claims that their policies caused her psychological harm.

Tsurenko, who previously ranked among the world’s top 25 players, filed the lawsuit challenging how the WTA handled competitors from Russia and Belarus after Russia’s invasion of her homeland in 2022. The 36-year-old athlete argued that the organization failed to follow through on Simon’s commitments to exclude Russian and Belarusian players who backed the military action.

In her complaint, Tsurenko described specific incidents that troubled her, including a Russian competitor displaying a patch from a sanctioned Russian petroleum corporation. She also alleged that Simon indicated it was acceptable for players to express support for the conflict. The stress became so overwhelming that Tsurenko suffered what she described as a “panic attack” during the 2023 BNP Paribas tournament in Indian Wells, California, forcing her to abandon her match against Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka, who currently holds the number one ranking in women’s tennis.

However, U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald ruled Wednesday that the tennis organization possessed the authority to determine what constituted harmful behavior. The judge found that Tsurenko had not demonstrated that the WTA bore responsibility for banning specific players or protecting competitors from psychological distress.

“When courts have found that sports associations owe a duty to their players, those duties relate to ensuring players’ physical safety, not their emotional wellbeing,” Buchwald wrote.

Judge Buchwald also credited the WTA with making thoughtful decisions after the invasion began, pointing to measures such as preventing Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under their national flags.

The Ukrainian player had sought financial compensation for contract violations and negligence, including claims related to emotional suffering. Her legal representatives had not responded to requests for comment by Thursday, nor had attorneys representing the WTA.

When fighting the lawsuit, the defendants maintained they had continuously condemned Russia’s military actions and implemented substantial measures to assist Ukrainian competitors. They argued that similar to other professional sports organizations, the WTA maintained that individual athletes “should not be punished because of the actions of their countries’ governments.”

Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Tsurenko has been vocal about the difficulties she faces while competing on the professional tennis circuit.

Green Bay Packers defensive standout Micah Parsons will likely be sidelined for the opening three to four games of the 2026 NFL season as he continues his recovery from ACL reconstruction surgery, according to a Thursday report from The Athletic.

The 26-year-old pass rusher went under the knife on December 29th following a torn left ACL he suffered during Green Bay’s Week 15 defeat against the Denver Broncos on December 14th, which ended his season prematurely.

Despite the injury cutting his campaign short, Parsons delivered an outstanding debut season in Green Bay, recording 12.5 sacks along with 41 tackles, 27 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. His stellar performance earned him All-Pro first team honors for the third time across his five-year career.

The Packers shocked the football world by trading for Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys on August 28, 2025, before locking him up with a massive four-year contract extension worth $186 million that runs through 2029.

The five-time Pro Bowl defender has been a dominant force since Dallas selected him 12th overall in the 2021 draft, accumulating 65.0 sacks across 77 games with 76 starts. His rookie campaign in 2021 earned him NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year recognition.

Milwaukee has added outfielder Jackson Chourio to their 10-day injured list Thursday after the young star suffered a broken left hand, with the team bringing up Blake Perkins from their Triple-A Nashville affiliate to fill the roster spot.

The injury occurred during an exhibition matchup on March 4 when Chourio was struck by a pitch while representing Venezuela against the Washington Nationals. Medical imaging confirmed a minor hairline break located at the base of his third metacarpal bone, with team doctors projecting a recovery timeline of two to four weeks.

The 22-year-old Venezuelan had an impressive 2024 campaign that earned him third place in National League Rookie of the Year balloting. During his debut season, Chourio posted a .270 batting average while contributing 21 home runs, 78 runs batted in, and 21 stolen bases across 131 games.

The 29-year-old Perkins, who gets the call-up, appeared in 54 games for Milwaukee last season, recording a .226 batting average with three home runs and 19 RBIs.

Louisiana State University basketball is expected to dismiss head coach Matt McMahon and rehire Will Wade for another stint leading the Tigers program, multiple sources reported Thursday.

The 43-year-old Wade previously led LSU’s basketball team from 2017 through 2022, taking the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament berths during his five-year tenure. His overall coaching record at LSU was 105-51, including a 56-33 mark in Southeastern Conference play, before the university terminated him in 2022 due to NCAA rule violations.

Following his departure from LSU, Wade coached McNeese State to NCAA Tournament qualifications in both 2024 and 2025, then moved to North Carolina State where he led the Wolfpack to a 20-14 record and another tournament appearance in the 2025-26 season.

The potential coaching change comes as LSU has recently brought in former McNeese State leadership, hiring Wade Rousse as system president and adding Heath Schroyer, the school’s former athletic director, as senior deputy athletic director this Thursday.

When reporters questioned Wade about potential LSU connections on March 12 following NC State’s 81-74 loss to Virginia in the ACC tournament, he appeared committed to his current position.

“Is the job open there?” Wade responded at the time. “No? Listen, let me be very clear. I’m excited at NC State. I was hired at NC State to do a job. This wasn’t going to take one year. I’ve already met with our administration about next year and some of the changes that we need to make and some of the things that we need to do to put this program where it deserves long-term.”

The 47-year-old McMahon assumed the LSU head coaching position for the 2022-23 season but has failed to achieve a winning conference record, posting 3-15 SEC marks in each of the last two campaigns. This season, LSU finished with a disappointing 15-17 overall record. Before joining LSU, McMahon had success at Murray State with a 153-67 record and guided the team to two Sweet 16 appearances in 2019 and 2022.

MINNEAPOLIS — Despite being severely short-handed, the Minnesota Timberwolves made NBA history Wednesday night by completing the league’s most dramatic overtime comeback since detailed record-keeping began in 1997-98.

The Timberwolves erased a 13-point overtime deficit to defeat the Houston Rockets 110-108, capping their miraculous rally with a decisive 15-0 scoring run to close out the game.

Minnesota accomplished this historic feat while playing without five of their seven most important players for the majority of their comeback effort.

“They fought through a ton of adversity. We should’ve won that game in regulation. We deserved to win that game. We were the better team all night, and we gave them a chance to steal it from us, but we stole it right back,” head coach Chris Finch stated after the victory.

The Timberwolves had squandered an 11-point advantage with just 3½ minutes remaining in regulation and battled questionable officiating throughout the contest. When overtime began Wednesday evening, they quickly fell behind by 13 points within the first two minutes of the extra period.

All-Star Anthony Edwards remained unavailable for his fifth consecutive game due to knee issues. Reserve guard Ayo Dosunmu was also absent with calf soreness. Jaden McDaniels, who contributed 25 points and exceptional defense against Rockets standout Kevin Durant throughout the night, began limping late in the fourth quarter and couldn’t continue. Rudy Gobert, despite recording 14 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, was disqualified due to fouls.

Early in overtime, Naz Reid received an ejection after expressing frustration with referee Scott Foster regarding an offensive foul ruling. Target Center spectators began heading for the exits.

However, after Alperen Sengun’s dunk extended Houston’s lead to 108-95, completing a remarkable 26-2 surge, Minnesota refused to surrender in this crucial Western Conference playoff positioning battle.

“You just got to take it a possession at a time. Biggest thing is be in the moment,” explained Julius Randle, who joined Kyle Anderson in defending Durant after McDaniels’ departure.

Mike Conley, making an unusual start due to Edwards and Dosunmu’s absences, connected on a three-pointer with 2:45 remaining. Anderson followed up Randle’s missed layup attempt, earned a foul against Sengun, and completed the three-point play. Minnesota then forced an eight-second violation by preventing Houston from crossing halfcourt.

Donte DiVincenzo scored on a cutting layup from Anderson’s pass, reducing the gap to five points. Randle secured Sengun’s missed shot before driving past him for a score on the opposite end, bringing Minnesota within 108-105 with 1:34 left on the clock.

DiVincenzo knotted the score with a three-pointer. Sengun’s jump shot missed the mark. Randle then delivered a pull-up jumper with 8.8 seconds left for the winning margin.

“We’ve got real competitors in here, guys who want the challenge. It’s not the first time we’ve done something like that,” said Randle, who scored all 24 of his points after halftime. “When it gets tough, we come together as a group. It brings the best out of us.”

With the victory, Minnesota (45-28) remained half a game behind Denver (46-28) for fourth position in the Western Conference standings. They moved 1½ games ahead of Houston (43-29) and crucially tied their season series at one game each. The teams will meet again in Houston on April 10.

Minnesota managed the comeback despite attempting 63 shots in the paint while receiving only 10 free throw attempts. They secured victory even after Randle was whistled for fouling Durant on his drive with 3.3 seconds left, sending him to the free throw line where Houston had been perfect at 23-for-23. Durant missed both attempts, intentionally missing the second to maintain possession.

“I’m so proud that we didn’t quit. We had a lot of opportunities to get very frustrated tonight,” Gobert reflected. “For the most part, we were able to overcome that. That’s the blueprint for us. We want to win a championship, so we know there’s going to be adversity. We know it’s going to come in a lot of ways.”

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee announced Thursday a comprehensive new eligibility framework that will prevent transgender women from participating in female Olympic events, with the rules taking effect for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The policy change coincides with President Donald Trump’s recent executive directive regarding women’s athletic competitions.

“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females,” the International Olympic Committee stated, “determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening.”

The number of transgender women currently competing at Olympic levels remains uncertain. The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics did not feature any athletes who had transitioned from male to female.

According to the IOC, the new eligibility requirements that begin with the LA Olympics in July 2028 will “protects fairness, safety and integrity in the female category.”

The organization emphasized that “It is not retroactive and does not apply to any grassroots or recreational sports programs.” This statement comes despite the Olympic Charter’s declaration that sporting participation represents a fundamental human right.

Following their executive board session, the International Olympic Committee released a comprehensive 10-page policy framework that also affects female competitors like two-time Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya, who has medical conditions classified as differences in sex development, or DSD.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry and the committee had sought definitive guidelines rather than continuing to provide recommendations to individual sports governing bodies, who had previously created their own regulations.

Establishing a review of “protecting the female category” became one of Coventry’s initial major initiatives last June after becoming the first woman to head the Olympic organization in its 132-year existence.

The issue of female eligibility emerged as a prominent topic during last year’s seven-candidate IOC presidential election, with Coventry’s primary opponents promising more decisive action on the matter.

Prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, three major sports disciplines — track and field, swimming and cycling — had already implemented regulations excluding transgender women who experienced male puberty.

The IOC’s documentation outlines research findings indicating that being born male provides lasting physical benefits.

“Males experience three significant testosterone peaks: in utero, in mini-puberty of infancy and beginning in adolescent puberty through adulthood,” the document stated.

The policy further notes this creates “individual sex-based performance advantages in sports and events that rely on strength, power and/or endurance.”

A transgender athlete has launched a legal challenge against two major golf governing bodies after being barred from women’s tournament competition. Hailey Davidson has taken the LPGA and USGA to court following their decision to deny entry to last year’s Women’s U.S. Open qualifier.

The lawsuit seeks to overturn recently established regulations that prevent biological males from participating in female competitions. Davidson, a transgender woman, argues these new restrictions are discriminatory.

The case reflects a broader trend across athletics, as numerous sports organizations both domestically and internationally have implemented comparable policies aimed at preserving competitive fairness for female athletes.

Arthur Blank, owner of Atlanta United FC, has appointed Mauricio Culebro as the new president of both his Major League Soccer team and the women’s professional soccer franchise set to launch in 2028.

Culebro brings significant experience from the Mexican soccer world, having served as president of Tigres UANL for five years and previously working as chief operating officer for the Mexican Football Federation.

“This is an exciting day as we welcome Mauricio to Atlanta and our family of businesses,” Blank announced through AMB Sports and Entertainment, his company that oversees the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Atlanta Drive golf team, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“As we progressed through the search process, Mauricio’s impressive experience and clear vision to elevate our clubs made him an outstanding fit to lead Atlanta United and NWSL Atlanta 2028,” Blank continued.

The team owner acknowledged that while Culebro is unfamiliar with MLS operations, his track record in “building and operating successful global soccer clubs” gives Blank complete confidence in his ability to restore Atlanta United to championship form while simultaneously launching the women’s team.

Among Culebro’s recent accomplishments was overseeing Mexico’s preparations for co-hosting the upcoming World Cup this summer.

“It is an honor to join AMBSE’s highly successful leadership team and become part of an organization with such a strong culture and foundation already in place,” Culebro stated. “I am excited to put my experience, passion and commitment at the service of Atlanta United and NWSL Atlanta 2028, working alongside a great team to build long-term projects our fans can feel proud of — teams that truly represent the passion, energy and ambition of this city.”

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers stood by his team’s medical decisions Wednesday, one day after the NBA players’ union accused the organization of deliberately keeping healthy players off the court.

The controversy centers around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been dealing with ongoing injury issues this season.

“He’s progressing,” Rivers told reporters Wednesday. “He’s just not healthy.”

The dispute began when reports emerged last week suggesting that Antetokounmpo, the 10-time All-Star and former two-time MVP, wanted to return to action but team officials declined to clear him. This prompted the National Basketball Players Association to issue a sharp rebuke Tuesday, accusing Milwaukee of deliberately losing games.

“The Player Participation Policy was designed by the league to hold teams accountable and ensure that when an All-Star like Giannis Antetokounmpo is healthy and ready to play, he is on the court,” the union said in its statement. “Unfortunately, anti-tanking policies are only as effective as their enforcement; fans, broadcast partners, and the integrity of the game itself will continue to suffer as long as ownership goes unchecked. We look forward to collaborating with the NBA on meaningful new proposals that will directly address and discourage tanking.”

Milwaukee currently sits at 29-43, trailing the final Eastern Conference playoff position by nine games with just 10 contests left on their schedule. The team’s struggles continued Wednesday night with a lopsided 130-99 defeat to Portland.

“We’re just trying to get Giannis clear and healthy,” Rivers said before the game. “That’s our only focus. All the other stuff, we stay above.”

The Greek superstar has battled through a difficult campaign marked by multiple ailments, missing a career-worst 36 games this season. According to reports, Milwaukee management believes shutting down their franchise player serves both his long-term health and the organization’s interests, despite rejecting trade proposals for the star forward.

Antetokounmpo’s injury timeline began with a 15-game absence due to calf problems before his March 2 return. After going 2-4 in six games back, he missed two more contests. A sprained left ankle then kept him out of a March 14 loss to Atlanta.

His most recent injury occurred during a March 15 home win over Indiana, when he landed awkwardly while dunking and exited in the third quarter. Since then, he’s been absent for losses to Cleveland on March 17, Utah on Thursday, and the Clippers on Monday, plus a victory over Phoenix on Saturday.

Through 36 appearances this season, Antetokounmpo is posting 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. This marks the fewest games he’s played across his 13 Milwaukee seasons, falling short of his previous low of 61 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 year.

Over his career, Antetokounmpo has compiled averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists across 895 games, starting 830 of them.

Toronto netminder Joseph Woll delivered a spectacular 40-save performance Wednesday evening as the Maple Leafs held off the New York Rangers 4-3 at home, officially ending New York’s playoff hopes for consecutive seasons.

The Maple Leafs jumped out to a commanding three-goal advantage before the Rangers mounted a fierce comeback attempt, using a pair of second-period power-play tallies to cut the deficit to a single goal and threatening again in the final frame.

Toronto received scoring from Jake McCabe, Nicholas Robertson, Dakota Joshua, and John Tavares to secure their second consecutive victory. Matias Maccelli contributed a pair of assists while Woll’s season-high save total preserved the win.

New York got two goals from Mika Zibanejad and a goal plus two helpers from Alexis Lafreniere, but couldn’t overcome their sixth straight defeat. The Rangers haven’t tasted victory since March 14. Adam Fox collected two assists while Igor Shesterkin made 14 stops in the losing effort.

The scoring opened when McCabe capitalized on a rebound opportunity in the slot, finishing off Maccelli’s close-range attempt at the 5:15 mark of the opening period.

Max Domi set up Robertson for the second tally, with Robertson finding the net from the left circle at 12:08 of the first frame.

Despite being outshot in the first period, the Rangers managed 14 shots compared to Toronto’s 10, reaching their 10th shot midway through the frame after recording just 10 total shots in Monday’s 2-1 loss to Ottawa.

Joshua extended Toronto’s cushion to 3-0 early in the middle period, converting from the left circle at 5:41 on a feed from Maccelli, with Woll earning the secondary assist.

The Rangers began their rally when Lafreniere scored from in close during a man advantage at 10:16 of the second, capitalizing while Simon Benoit served a roughing penalty.

Toronto’s Easton Cowan nearly restored the three-goal lead but struck iron with a wrist shot at 14:20 of the second period.

Zibanejad brought New York within one goal, scoring from the bottom of the left circle on another power play at 18:01 of the second. Lafreniere delivered the pass from the right circle while Oliver Ekman-Larsson was in the penalty box for slashing.

Max Domi hit the post early in the third period at 5:43, missing a chance to provide insurance.

Tavares did provide that insurance, scoring unassisted from the right circle at 11:57 of the final frame.

Zibanejad responded quickly with his second goal at 13:04, setting up a tense finish.

New York pulled Shesterkin for an extra attacker in the closing moments but couldn’t find the equalizer.

The Boston Celtics put a halt to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive 12-game winning streak Wednesday night, defeating the visiting Thunder 119-109 in a clash between the league’s two most recent championship teams.

Jaylen Brown powered Boston’s victory with 31 points while also contributing eight rebounds and eight assists. The Celtics overcame an early 13-point deficit in the opening quarter to secure the win.

Jayson Tatum provided solid support for Boston, recording 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Coming off the bench, Payton Pritchard delivered 14 points and connected on four of his six three-point attempts.

Oklahoma City, last season’s NBA champion, was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s outstanding performance of 33 points and eight assists. Gilgeous-Alexander shot exceptionally well, making 10 of 12 field goal attempts and 10 of 12 free throws. Lu Dort contributed 14 points by knocking down four three-pointers.

The Thunder kept the game competitive until the final moments, cutting Boston’s lead to just six points with 1:30 remaining. However, Brown’s jumper with 47.3 seconds left extended the Celtics’ advantage to 117-109, effectively sealing the victory. Boston struggled early, shooting only 29.2% from the field in the first quarter and falling behind 31-20 after twelve minutes.

Timberwolves 110, Rockets 108 (OT)

Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota’s comeback with 25 points on efficient 10-for-17 shooting as the Timberwolves stunned Houston with an overtime victory in Minneapolis.

Julius Randle contributed 24 points for Minnesota (45-28), which has now won four of its last five contests. Rudy Gobert posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Naz Reid added 14 points and 13 rebounds coming off the bench.

Houston (43-29) received 30 points each from Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, but couldn’t avoid their fourth loss in six games. Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds. Despite Houston rallying from a 10-point deficit with 5:15 left in regulation to force overtime — with Durant scoring their final seven points of the fourth quarter — Minnesota closed the game with a decisive 15-0 run.

Nuggets 142, Mavericks 135

Jamal Murray exploded for a season-high 53 points, including 33 in the first half, while Nikola Jokic nearly achieved a triple-double with 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists as Denver held off Dallas at home.

Jokic made NBA history during the victory, becoming the first center ever to reach 6,000 career assists when he set up Murray’s layup in the second quarter. The achievement came during Jokic’s third consecutive triple-double performance. Peyton Watson added 21 points and Cam Johnson scored 12 for Denver, which has won four straight games.

Dallas received 26 points from Cooper Flagg, 22 from Naji Marshall, and 19 points with 15 rebounds from P.J. Washington. Brandon Williams and Khris Middleton each contributed 11 points for the Mavericks, who have now lost five consecutive games and 24 of their last 28.

Lakers 137, Pacers 130

Luka Doncic dominated the first half with 28 of his 43 points as Los Angeles defeated Indiana on the road in Indianapolis.

Doncic also recorded seven assists and six rebounds for the Lakers, while Austin Reaves added 25 points and eight assists. LeBron James came close to a triple-double with 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and Jaxson Hayes achieved season-high totals of 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Indiana got 20 points from Pascal Siakam and 18 from Jay Huff, with eight different Pacers scoring in double figures. T.J. McConnell added 17 points, and Andrew Nembhard’s 14 points came alongside a career-best 19 assists as the Pacers mounted a late rally, turning a 29-point third-quarter deficit into a close two-possession game.

76ers 157, Bulls 137

Joel Embiid returned from injury to score 35 points while Paul George added 28 in his comeback as Philadelphia dominated visiting Chicago.

Philadelphia welcomed back both Embiid, who had missed 13 games with an oblique injury, and George, who sat out 25 games due to suspension. Despite Tyrese Maxey remaining sidelined with a finger injury, the Sixers (40-33) posted their eighth-highest point total in franchise history and won their fifth game in seven attempts.

Chicago (29-43) allowed 51 third-quarter points — the most they’ve ever given up in a single quarter and the most Philadelphia had scored in any quarter since the 1960s. Josh Giddey led the Bulls with 23 points and 12 assists, while Matas Buzelis contributed 18 points.

Hawks 130, Pistons 129 (OT)

Jalen Johnson recorded 27 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds as red-hot Atlanta continued their winning ways, edging Detroit in overtime for the Hawks’ 14th victory in their last 15 games.

CJ McCollum matched Johnson with 27 points while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 21. Dyson Daniels contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta (41-32), which prevented Detroit from completing a season sweep.

Detroit (52-20) saw their four-game winning streak end despite 26 points and 14 rebounds from Jalen Duren. Tobias Harris scored 22 points and Daniss Jenkins provided 19 points and 10 assists.

Spurs 123, Grizzlies 98

Victor Wembanyama recorded 19 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks as visiting San Antonio controlled the game from start to finish against injury-depleted Memphis.

Devin Vassell contributed 19 points and seven rebounds for the Spurs, while Keldon Johnson and Stephon Castle each scored 15 points. San Antonio, winners of 12 of their last 13 games, moved within two games of Oklahoma City for the Western Conference’s top position.

Memphis (24-48) was led by GG Jackson’s 20 points and seven rebounds, extending their struggles with a 12th loss in 13 games. Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 17 points and DeJon Jarreau added 15 for the Grizzlies, who were missing Ty Jerome and Jaylen Wells in addition to several season-ending injuries.

Heat 120, Cavaliers 103

Norman Powell scored 19 points and Bam Adebayo collected 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as visiting Miami recovered from blowing a 21-point lead to defeat Cleveland.

Tyler Herro added 18 points, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Pelle Larsson each scored 14 points for Miami (39-34), which ended a five-game losing streak and claimed sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points in 33 minutes before fouling out for the first time in his professional career for the fourth-place Cavaliers (45-28). Sam Merrill and James Harden each had 18 points, while Keon Ellis scored 17.

Wizards 133, Jazz 110

Julian Reese dominated with 26 points and 17 rebounds as Washington finally broke through, ending a 16-game losing streak with a convincing victory over Utah in Salt Lake City.

Will Riley added 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while Jaden Hardy chipped in 21 points with five three-pointers for the Wizards, who never trailed and led by as much as 37 points. Washington shot an impressive 55.3% from the field and connected on 13 three-pointers.

Utah was paced by Cody Williams’ 24 points, with Blake Hinson adding 21 points off the bench and Kennedy Chandler contributing 14 points and eight assists. The Jazz suffered their third straight loss and seventh in eight games.

Trail Blazers 130, Bucks 99

Scoot Henderson provided 23 points off the bench as Portland controlled the entire game in a dominant victory over visiting Milwaukee.

Deni Avdija recorded 18 points and seven assists while Jerami Grant also scored 18 points as Portland (37-37) won their sixth game in eight attempts, staying within a half-game of the Western Conference’s eighth playoff position.

Ryan Rollins exploded for a career-high 36 points and made six three-pointers for the Bucks, who played without star Giannis Antetokounmpo (left knee) for the fifth consecutive game and lost their 12th game in the last 15.

Warriors 109, Nets 106

Gui Santos erupted for a career-high 31 points and Brandin Podziemski added 22 as Golden State rallied to defeat Brooklyn in San Francisco.

The Warriors won their third game in 11 attempts, while Brooklyn extended their losing streak to nine games. Kristaps Porzingis had 17 points and 10 rebounds, De’Anthony Melton added 14 points and Gary Payton II scored 10 for Golden State, which overcame a season-high 26 turnovers.

Brooklyn was led by Ziaire Williams with 19 points and Jalen Wilson with 15. Ben Saraf scored 14 points with seven assists, Malachi Smith added 12 points, Chaney Johnson contributed 11 and Drake Powell finished with 10.

Clippers 119, Raptors 94

Kawhi Leonard, Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin combined for 74 points as Los Angeles dominated visiting Toronto in Inglewood, California, behind a commanding first quarter performance.

The Clippers controlled the game from the opening tip for their third consecutive victory, building a 14-point advantage after the first quarter thanks to Brook Lopez’s hot start. The veteran center scored 11 of his 14 points in the opening period, while LA’s bench contributed 52 points overall.

Toronto, finishing a 2-3 road trip, never managed to cut the deficit to single digits while shooting just 40 of 96 from the field. Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 18 points and Jakob Poeltl added 10 points, as they were the only Toronto starters to shoot better than 33%.

LOS ANGELES — For the first time since opening in 1962, the playing field at Dodger Stadium now carries a corporate sponsor’s name, marking a historic change for Major League Baseball’s third-oldest venue.

The field was officially renamed “Uniqlo Field” during Wednesday’s unveiling ceremony, just one day before the Los Angeles Dodgers kick off their quest for a third consecutive World Series title. The team opens their season Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first game of a three-game homestand.

World Series Game 7 hero Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound as the starting pitcher for Los Angeles. Yamamoto joins fellow Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki on the Dodgers roster.

“Every one of us has become fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers because of the outstanding performances of Japanese players,” said company founder Tadashi Lanai through a translator.

The Japan-based clothing company operates more than 2,400 retail locations worldwide, with significant market presence across Asia, Europe and Canada. In the United States, Uniqlo maintains nearly 80 stores, mostly located in shopping centers, as part of an ambitious growth strategy.

This marks Uniqlo’s debut major sports partnership in America, following negotiations that lasted almost 12 months, according to Koji Lanai, senior executive officer for parent company Fast Retailing. Koji Lanai is the son of founder Tadashi Lanai, who holds the distinction of being Japan’s wealthiest individual with assets valued at approximately $62 billion.

The sponsorship agreement includes prominent red-and-white Uniqlo branding throughout the stadium, featuring displays at the center field batter’s eye, beneath the press box facade, and along the baseline grass areas.

“I hope in the near future fans will like it and love it,” Koji Lanai said.

During the announcement, a Japanese journalist inquired about potential rewards for batters who might hit the center field signage. This question referenced the famous Brooklyn Dodgers tradition at Ebbets Field from 1931-57, where a sign beneath the scoreboard promised “Hit sign, win suit” – an advertisement placed by clothing store owner Abe Stark, who later served as Brooklyn Borough President.

“It’s a very good idea I was just given,” Koji Lanai said through a translator.

Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten responded, “We like that idea, too.”

When asked about providing team apparel to players, Tadashi Lanai explained that existing sponsorship agreements create complications. “But probably we can provide them with everyday clothing,” he said through a translator.

Kasten jokingly added, “We pay them enough to shop at Uniqlo stores.”

The stadium’s outfield already features signage from several Japanese companies including Tokyo Electron, All Nippon Airways and Yakult, reflecting the organization’s focus on Asian fan engagement that intensified with Ohtani’s arrival before the 2024 season.

“I’ve been thrilled with the reaction I got from fans,” Kasten said.

The team presented Tadashi Lanai with a home plate autographed by the players, which Kasten described as representing the retailer’s new stadium home.

Uniqlo’s stadium plans include creating a dedicated section within team merchandise stores and hosting a June 21 promotional event where attendees will receive LifeWear clothing items. The company will also launch a community outreach initiative in late May.

Arizona basketball coach Tommy Lloyd addressed speculation Wednesday connecting him to the vacant North Carolina coaching position, emphasizing his dedication to his current team ahead of their upcoming tournament game.

Speaking to reporters in San Jose, California, the day before his top-seeded Wildcats face fourth-seeded Arkansas in the Sweet 16, Lloyd emphasized the value of his current position.

“I already have one of the best jobs in the country,” Lloyd stated during the press conference. “And one thing we talk about in our program all the time — and I think I’ve gotten better at it, and I think our team’s been crushing it this year — is just the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment.”

The 51-year-old coach has emerged as a leading candidate for the North Carolina position following Hubert Davis’s dismissal, which came after the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament elimination by VCU.

Lloyd stopped short of making any definitive statements about remaining at Arizona, though coaching search situations frequently result in contract improvements for coaches linked to openings.

Currently in his second year of a five-year deal earning $5.1 million annually, Lloyd would face an $11 million buyout if he departed before April 15. His team’s 34-2 record this season falls just one victory short of the program’s best mark established during the 1987-88 season.

“I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game, but I’m not delusional,” Lloyd explained. “I know we could lose tomorrow, but this team deserves my full focus. So, there’s not one thing that is going to knock me off my path. I’m 100% focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can’t wait till the ball gets thrown up tomorrow and then can’t wait to try to figure out a way to come out on top.”

Lloyd brings a 146-35 record into the matchup against Arkansas. During his Arizona coaching career, he has experienced three Sweet 16 exits and one first-round loss to Princeton in 2023.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever basketball star Caitlin Clark swapped her usual role on the court for one behind the lens Wednesday evening, serving as an official photographer during the Indiana Pacers’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James.

Wearing professional photography gear and an official vest, Clark received media credentials from the Pacers organization to capture images from courtside. The team honored her with a customized folding chair featuring her personal branding prior to tipoff.

“Got some good stuff coming,” Clark shared on her social media accounts.

The basketball standout is gearing up for her third campaign with the Indiana Fever. Following a season largely sidelined by injuries, Clark made her comeback this month during the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament. She topped the U.S. team’s scoring charts with an average of 11.6 points per contest, helping lead the Americans to a perfect 5-0 record in the competition.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Baseball history was made Wednesday night when New York Yankees infielder José Caballero became the first player to challenge an umpire’s call using Major League Baseball’s new Automated Ball-Strike System, though his appeal was unsuccessful during the season opener against the San Francisco Giants.

The historic moment occurred in the fourth inning when Giants pitcher Logan Webb delivered a 90.7 mph sinker to the upper inside corner of the plate. Home plate umpire Bill Miller, who has officiated MLB games since 1997, called it a strike. Caballero responded by tapping his helmet to signal a challenge, prompting the system’s 12 Hawk-Eye cameras to review the pitch. The automated technology confirmed Miller’s original call, with the decision displayed on Oracle Park’s scoreboard.

At that point in the game, New York held a commanding 5-0 lead. Earlier, Caballero had contributed to his team’s offense with an RBI double during a five-run rally in the second inning against Webb, who reached a career milestone by recording his 1,000th strikeout in the fourth frame.

The robotic strike zone technology underwent extensive testing in minor league baseball beginning in 2019 and was implemented during major league spring training in both 2025 and 2026. Despite the automation, some managers have indicated they will continue finding opportunities to dispute calls and risk ejection.

Prior to Wednesday’s contest, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone expressed enthusiasm for the new technology and emphasized the significance of preparing his players for challenge situations.

“I hope so,” Boone responded when questioned about his excitement for the system. “We’ve had a lot of dialogue at it, it’s something that we’ve poured a lot into, I’ve certainly. It’s become one of the things I’ve kind of tried to lead the charge on a little bit. Another kind of end-of-spring meeting with all the position players and catchers at the end just kind of running through different ones that came up and give my feedback on it. I’ve been very direct with them during spring as far as after the fact if I thought one was really good or conversely if one was terrible.”

Boone acknowledged that adapting to the system would require patience and experience from everyone involved.

“I’ve tried to be real direct with them and why,” he explained. “I feel like we’re going to be good at it, that’s the expectation. I’m sure we’ll continue to evolve with it.”

Giants manager Tony Vitello, who transitioned to San Francisco from the University of Tennessee without any professional playing or coaching background, admitted he needed to remind himself earlier Wednesday about the automated system’s role.

“I’ve got to be honest with you, one thing I was looking at is who are the umpires tonight?” he said. “You get on google the first thing you see is there’s going to be a robot umpire. And it was only for a millisecond but I kind of freaked out.”

Iowa State’s standout forward Joshua Jefferson will be a last-minute decision for Friday evening’s Sweet 16 clash with Tennessee in Chicago, according to Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger, who addressed reporters Wednesday.

The All-American player injured his left ankle during a drive to the basket in Iowa State’s opening tournament victory over Tennessee State last Friday. He was unable to play in the team’s second-round matchup against Kentucky two days following the injury.

Coach Otzelberger indicated that Jefferson continues to show improvement in his recovery process.

“He’s working tirelessly every day,” Otzelberger said during a press conference at the team’s hotel. “Countless sessions in the training room. Doing everything he can. His ankle is getting better every single day. It will go right up to game time.”

“There’s not any percentages, predictions, unlikely, likely. It is literally, he is working tirelessly to compete to do everything he can to be on the court for our team. …. We’ll see where we’re at game time Friday night.”

Jefferson serves as a crucial player for the Cyclones, averaging 16.4 points per contest while ranking second on the team in assists with 4.8 per game. He also tops the squad in rebounds, pulling down 7.4 per game.

Basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger of Iowa State firmly denied Wednesday any rumors connecting him to other coaching positions, calling such speculation “not true” amid ongoing whispers about him being considered for the North Carolina job.

The coach made his statement from the team’s Chicago hotel after the second-seeded Cyclones (29-7) arrived for their Friday Sweet 16 matchup against sixth-seeded Tennessee.

“Any speculation with me and any other jobs or opportunities is not true,” Otzelberger said to the media. “I’m the coach of the Cyclones, thrilled to be the coach of the Cyclones. And what I can say to you even more, as we move forward together, is the alignment on our campus – with (university president) Dr. (David) Cook, (athletic director) Jamie Pollard – is amazing. We’re thrilled and excited about our future together.”

He continued his emphatic denial: “Really appreciative and grateful for Jamie Pollard and David Cook and the conversations we’ve had. Just excited about our future. That’s topic No. 1. There’s no questions about it, there’s nothing to talk about, there’s nothing else to answer. That’s the truth.”

The 48-year-old coach is currently in his fifth year leading Iowa State with a 124-52 record going into Friday’s contest. Under his leadership, the Cyclones have reached the Sweet 16 three times.

His current contract runs through the 2031-32 season with an annual salary of $4 million and includes a $4 million penalty if he departs for another position.

Athletic director Pollard quickly supported his coach on social media following the statement.

“Excited for Cyclone Nation that TJ is not going anywhere — he will be our basketball coach for a long time!” Pollard posted.

Star point guard Tamin Lipsey said the recurring speculation doesn’t catch him off guard.

“There’s rumors every year when there’s a head coaching job, his name is brought up. That’s a credit to him and what he’s done with this program,” Lipsey said in Chicago. “This is where he wants to be. To see him come out and say that right away should mean a lot to us players and the fans in general.”

Throughout his decade as a head coach, Otzelberger has compiled a 223-115 overall record, including previous positions at South Dakota State from 2016-19 and UNLV from 2020-21.

Seattle will begin their season without starting shortstop J.P. Crawford after the team placed him on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder.

The 31-year-old Crawford appeared in seven spring training contests, recording a .125 batting average along with one stolen base and three RBIs. Team officials don’t consider the shoulder issue to be a major concern, and Leo Rivas is expected to fill in at shortstop while Crawford recovers.

Seattle kicks off their season Thursday evening at home against the Cleveland Guardians.

During the 2024 campaign, Crawford appeared in 157 contests and posted a .265 batting average with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs. He continued his strong performance in the postseason, contributing one homer and four RBIs across 12 playoff games as Seattle advanced to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

Throughout his nine-year major league career split between Philadelphia (2017-18) and Seattle (2019-25), Crawford maintains a .248 career batting average with 67 homers and 344 RBIs. He earned Gold Glove recognition in 2020 for his defensive excellence.

Seattle made additional roster moves Wednesday, placing infielder Miles Mastrobuoni on IL with a calf strain and right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller on IL due to an oblique injury. The team brought up catcher Mitch Garver by selecting his contract, while catcher Andrew Knizner cleared waivers and chose free agency.

The 35-year-old Garver spent the previous two seasons with Seattle and carries a .233 career batting average across 651 games over nine major league seasons.

NFL executives and coaching staffs descended upon Columbus Wednesday as Ohio State hosted its annual pro day, with more than a dozen general managers and head coaches present to evaluate Buckeye talent.

The impressive turnout highlights the recruiting pipeline that head coach Ryan Day and his coaching staff have built. The Buckeyes are positioned to potentially match their record of 14 players selected in the 2025 draft, with a minimum of four prospects expected to hear their names called in the opening round.

New York teams made a strong showing, with both the Jets and Giants sending their top decision-makers. Jets general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn attended, as the team holds the second overall selection. Giants head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen were also present, with their team picking fifth.

Harbaugh spent considerable time speaking with linebacker Sonny Styles and reconnected with Arvell Reese, a multi-position linebacker who worked out with defensive linemen during the session. The Giants also met with safety Caleb Downs and may have eyes on wide receiver Carnell Tate.

Looking for quarterback help, the Jets dispatched staff members to Alabama’s pro day in Tuscaloosa to evaluate Ty Simpson. The quarterback revealed he has a private session scheduled with New York on Friday. The Jets also possess the 16th overall selection.

While Cleveland didn’t send representatives to Alabama’s campus workout, they’ve already brought Simpson in for a top-30 visit, joining Pittsburgh and Arizona in hosting the quarterback.

At Alabama, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor commanded attention during his short shuttle run and positional drills with linemen and tight ends. The anticipated top-20 pick brings impressive measurables – squatting over 800 pounds with a maximum bench press of 535 pounds and an 81 5/8-inch wingspan. Standing 6-foot-6 5/8 and weighing 352 pounds from the NFL Combine, Proctor displayed remarkable mobility and power during Wednesday’s showcase.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was the sole confirmed GM present at Alabama’s workout.

Simpson enters the draft ranked as the second-best quarterback prospect behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, whose team conducts their pro day April 1. He threw passes to receivers Rico Scott, Ryan Coleman-Williams, Germie Bernard and Noah Rogers. Coleman-Williams had one drop on a deep route requiring a late adjustment in what was otherwise a polished and well-prepared performance. Bernard ranks among the top 10 receivers in the loaded 2026 class and could be chosen within the first 50 selections overall.

After one season as Alabama’s starting quarterback, replacing Jalen Milroe in 2025, Simpson chose to forgo his remaining eligibility for the professional ranks.

“I’m tough, I’m resilient, I love football and I want to make people better,” Simpson explained when asked what message he’s delivering to interested teams. “When I come into your program, I’m a program-changer. I don’t just make myself better, I make other people better.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA is committed to solving its tanking problem, and the controversial 65-game requirement for awards may stay in place.

Commissioner Adam Silver announced Wednesday that the league will modify its draft system and tackle the tanking controversy before the upcoming season begins. He referenced the success of the player participation policy in reducing load management as evidence that the NBA can implement meaningful reforms.

During the two-day board of governors meeting that concluded Wednesday, team owners discussed tanking — when franchises intentionally lose games to improve their chances of securing top draft selections. Silver noted that no formal votes occurred and no particular teams were singled out for criticism.

“We are going to fix it,” Silver declared. “Full stop.”

According to Silver, the league has been analyzing recent tanking concerns for several months and has previously tackled this challenge multiple times through various modifications to the draft and lottery systems.

“I would say it seemed unanimous in the room that we needed to make a change, and we need to make a change for next season,” Silver explained during his press conference following the ownership meetings. “Exactly what that change is, we’re continuing to work on. … I think there’s also unanimous agreement that we need to make this change in advance of the draft and free agency this year, so all the teams understand the rules of the road going into next year.”

Silver indicated that a special board meeting in May will likely be scheduled to finalize the solution. League general managers have held multiple discussions on the topic, and various teams have submitted proposals for addressing the problem.

Regarding other topics discussed Wednesday:

Silver addressed the National Basketball Players Association’s Tuesday statement requesting modifications to the 65-game requirement for major individual honors.

The NBPA agreed to this rule through collective bargaining as part of their current contract with the league. The union highlighted Detroit’s Cade Cunningham as an example — he would likely earn All-NBA recognition this season but may not qualify due to the 65-game minimum.

“We always knew when there’s a line you draw that somebody’s going to fall on the other side of that line and it may feel unfair in that particular instance,” Silver stated. “Let’s see what happens at the end of this year. By the way, Cade Cunningham, he’s an incredible player. I’m sorry that he’s injured and can’t wait to see him back on the floor.

“But having said that, we also have to remember that to the extent that one player is no longer eligible, some other player will then be All-NBA and will slot into that spot. I’m not ready to stand here saying, I don’t think it’s working. I think it is working.”

The NBPA contends the rule should target “excessive load management” while ensuring players don’t lose deserved recognition or feel pressured to compete while injured to reach the games-played requirement.

Silver mentioned that NBA owners — many of whom also have investments in the WNBA — reviewed the new collective bargaining agreement between that league and its players.

“People were extremely happy about the fact that the collective bargaining situation was resolved in time to save training camp and free agency and the season,” Silver commented.

When asked about WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s future beyond 2026, Silver responded cautiously.

“We haven’t had those discussions yet with the WNBA board,” Silver said. “I would obviously say Cathy’s done a fantastic job since she’s come to the WNBA. … I would say the results speak for themselves. I’m very happy, and I know the ownership is very happy with where things stand.”

NEW YORK — Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, a Portland native who cheered for the Trail Blazers growing up, admits he could never support their division rival Seattle SuperSonics back in the day.

However, the prospect of professional basketball returning to Seattle — nearly twenty years after the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City — definitely has the veteran coach’s endorsement.

Wednesday’s announcement that the NBA will officially begin studying expansion opportunities, focusing on Seattle and Las Vegas as potential host cities, generated positive responses from Spoelstra and numerous other league personnel.

His stance is clear: he supports the move.

“It would be fun,” Spoelstra commented Wednesday. “I think all the Pacific Northwest people were sad when it left. I loved the games there. I grew up disliking the Sonics very much because I was a Trail Blazer fan, but it was an awesome environment. It’s a city that can really rally around their team.”

Expansion isn’t guaranteed to occur, and any new franchise would likely begin play no earlier than the 2028-29 season.

Nevertheless, reaching this milestone represents major progress and immediately sparked reactions from Las Vegas, Seattle, and throughout the basketball community.

MGM Resorts CEO & President Bill Hornbuckle expressed gratitude to league ownership for their decision regarding Las Vegas.

“It’s only the first step, but it’s a big step,” Hornbuckle stated. “A new team would be great for both locals and visitors, while creating jobs and providing a boost to the economy. … We would welcome the opportunity to work with the NBA on creating an unforgettable fan experience.”

Seattle’s Tod Leiweke — who serves as CEO of the NHL’s Kraken and will lead One Roof Sports and Entertainment as they pursue majority ownership of Climate Pledge Arena — believes “the hardest part of this is now done.”

“We will put together a bid that has it all,” Leiweke declared. “And I would say the most important thing in our bid is the ability to do it and do it well. And that’s going to be very important for the NBA if ultimately they push ahead and want to expand, they’re going to want to make sure that it’s done well, that there’s no drama, that there’s no slips, there’s no mistakes.”

Heat center Bam Adebayo, who dates Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson — the four-time WNBA MVP — has witnessed firsthand the basketball enthusiasm in Las Vegas while attending her games. He believes an NBA franchise wouldn’t diminish the strong support for the Aces.

“Aces fans are really true to the Aces,” Adebayo observed.

Initial feedback indicates widespread support among current NBA players and coaches for league expansion.

“I think we’re adding two good teams, two good markets,” Spoelstra concluded. “It’ll be a big positive for the league.”

NEW YORK — The National Basketball Association has taken its first official step toward potentially adding new franchises, with Seattle and Las Vegas identified as the primary markets under consideration.

During Wednesday’s board of governors meeting in New York, league officials authorized the beginning of formal discussions with prospective ownership groups in both cities. This decision opens the door for serious negotiations that could begin in the near future.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has established a timeline requiring the league to determine whether expansion will move forward by the conclusion of 2026.

To assist with the evaluation process, the NBA has enlisted investment banking firm PJT Partners to serve as a strategic consultant. The firm will assess potential markets, ownership candidates, venue capabilities, and the overall financial impact of adding franchises.

PJT Partners’ chairman and CEO Paul Taubman brings extensive NBA experience to the role, having collaborated with the league on various projects over the years. Notably, when former Commissioner David Stern transitioned out of his role to make way for Silver’s leadership more than ten years ago, Taubman brought Stern aboard as an advisor to his firm.

Silver emphasized that no agreements have been finalized, leaving the competition completely open at this stage.

“If you are interested, and I’ll say that now to people who may be listening or watching this, if you’re interested, call the league office, call PJT Partners directly in New York,” Silver stated during Wednesday’s press conference. “I just want to make sure everybody understands there’s been no handshakes on the side. There’s been no commitments. There’s no promises to anyone. This is a completely transparent process.”

The league and PJT Partners will now evaluate potential candidates and their proposals before beginning actual deal negotiations. With expansion fees anticipated to reach $6 billion or higher, the process is expected to be lengthy.

The NBA could ultimately choose to add both cities, select just one, or decide against expansion entirely. There are no guarantees that new franchises will be added to the current 30-team structure.

While having 31 teams would create scheduling challenges, the league has previously operated with uneven conference alignments.

New teams would not debut next season or likely the season following. Industry experts believe establishing a new franchise requires a minimum of 18 months, suggesting the 2028-29 season as the earliest possible launch date.

“Our goal was in 2026 to resolve this issue one way or the other,” Silver explained. “So, my timeline — we weren’t so specific with the board — is that we need to know by the end of this calendar year what it is we’re doing. It may not be that every ‘I’ is dotted, but that would be our goal, this year.”

Should expansion proceed, the league would essentially be selling ownership stakes in its current operations during a period of unprecedented growth. NBA franchise valuations have skyrocketed recently, with the Boston Celtics selling for slightly over $6 billion and the Los Angeles Lakers valued at $10 billion.

“The only discussion in the room was understanding the math around dilution in terms of projections and what’s the direct reduction in existing revenues to teams if we were expanding beginning in ’28-29,” Silver noted. “We did not discuss franchise value per se in these meetings. Of course, certainly with our bankers, we have a sense of where we think that value exists, but at the end of the day, the marketplace will determine that.”

For just the second time in NFL history, the league will kick off its season on a Wednesday evening, with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks serving as the host team for the 2026 season opener.

League officials made the announcement Wednesday, revealing that Seattle will take the field for the traditional championship opener on September 9, moving the game up one day from its typical Thursday night slot. The scheduling change accommodates the league’s plans for a Week 1 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams to be played in Australia.

NBC will broadcast the Seahawks’ home opener, though the visiting team has yet to be announced.

The last time the NFL launched a season on Wednesday occurred in 2012, when the Dallas Cowboys traveled to face the New York Giants. That game was shifted from its regular Thursday evening time slot due to President Barack Obama’s scheduled address at the Democratic National Convention.

The 49ers and Rams will face off September 11 in Melbourne for their season opener. Australian fans can expect kickoff around 10:35 a.m. local time on Friday, which translates to 8:35 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday evening for American viewers. The network that will air this international contest remains undecided.

Over the previous two seasons, the NFL scheduled Week 1 games in Brazil on the opening Friday night of September. However, with Labor Day falling later in 2026, the first Friday of the season lands on the second Friday in September, preventing the league from broadcasting games that evening due to restrictions in the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.

Although Wednesday games occurred more frequently during the NFL’s early decades, this marks only the fifth such game since 1950. The other instances include two Christmas Day games in 2024 when the holiday fell on Wednesday, one COVID-19 postponed game in 2022, and the 2012 season opener.

A former Major League Baseball umpire is expressing concerns about how new automated technology will affect the officials currently working behind home plate.

MLB launched its Automated Ball-Strike System during regular season games this year, beginning with the Yankees’ season opener against San Francisco on Wednesday evening. The system allows teams to challenge strike zone calls using data from 12 Hawk-Eye cameras.

“I think it’s embarrassing, embarrassing to the umpires that are calling the game. Nobody likes to be humiliated in front of 30,000, 40,000 people,” Garcia stated. The veteran official worked MLB games from 1975 through 1999. “What Major League Baseball is saying is: I don’t trust the umpire’s strike zone, so I’m going to use something that’s going to be operated by some computer geek that knows nothing about baseball, and he’s the one that’s going to measure this and measure that because he’s got a Ph.D. in physics or whatever the hell he’s got a degree in.”

Garcia faced scrutiny during the 1998 World Series opener when he didn’t call a strike on a 2-2 delivery from San Diego’s Mark Langston to Yankees batter Tino Martinez. Martinez subsequently connected for a game-changing grand slam that helped propel New York to a series sweep.

Despite ongoing discussions about questionable calls, umpires achieved record-breaking precision last season, though still falling short of technological standards.

MLB umpires made calls on 368,898 pitches during the regular season, averaging 152 decisions per contest. Their 92.83% accuracy represented the best performance on record, with an average of 10.88 incorrect calls per game. This marked significant improvement from 2016, when officials averaged 16.58 missed calls per game with 89.31% accuracy.

“I’m 60 and it seems to me like the younger generation really wants this technology and they want the certainty of a pitch being a ball or a strike,” commented Ted Barrett, who officiated major league games from 1994 through 2022.

The ABS system provides each team two challenges per game, with successful challenges preserved. Teams receive an additional challenge during each extra inning after exhausting their allotment.

“As an umpire, you never want to miss anything. You want to be absolutely 100% correct, but we’re all human and that’s just not possible,” explained Sam Holbrook, who served as an MLB umpire from 1996 to 2022. “Social media and the media have really been hammering the umpires for pitches that are just minutely off the zone or in the zone or whatever, and it’s just too hard to be perfect with all of this. I think it’s going to be good to correct any egregious pitches. I think it’s going to show how good the umpires actually are.”

Baseball first introduced electronic monitoring with Questec’s Umpire Information System at select venues in 2001, then expanded to league-wide Zone Evaluation in 2009 through PITCHf/x technology. TrackMan’s doppler radar replaced the previous system in 2017 as part of MLB Statcast.

Umpires have received Z-E performance evaluations for every plate appearance since 2009. Starting in 2014, they also began experiencing call reversals through expanded video replay.

“It’s tough mentally on an umpire because you failed at your job and there’s that instant feedback of failure,” Barrett noted. “Nobody wants to fail at your job, but then there’s also the, hey, thank God I didn’t cost that team a game or a run or a pennant. No one wants to live with that. And so we take the positive of that. The negative is sometimes it’s like: What am I doing over there? I got overturned twice at first base.”

The ABS defines strikes as pitches crossing the plate at its midpoint within a zone measuring 53.5% of the batter’s height at the top and 27% at the bottom. This differs from the official rulebook strike zone, which creates a rectangular area from the midpoint between shoulder tops and uniform pants down to the hollow below the kneecap.

“They’re going to change to what the ABS calls, whether it’s a challenge or not because, remember, they are getting evaluated on their performance based on that ABS,” Barrett observed.

During spring training, Philadelphia led all teams in successful batting challenges at 61%, followed by Chicago Cubs at 60%, with Boston and Seattle each at 54%. Texas and Arizona both struggled at 33%, while Kansas City managed just 34%.

For defensive challenges, St. Louis topped the rankings at 75%, with Cincinnati at 71% and Cleveland at 70%. The Los Angeles Dodgers lagged at 43%, while Baltimore achieved 45%.

Batters succeeded on 46% of their 887 challenges, while defensive teams won 60% of 1,020 attempts. The Yankees recorded the most overall challenge victories with 54, while Arizona, the Dodgers, and New York Mets each tied for fewest wins at 20.

Boston’s Willson Contreras led all batters in challenges and succeeded on six of seven attempts. Philadelphia’s Christian Cairo maintained perfect success, winning all four of his batter challenges.

Among catchers, St. Louis’s Pedro Pagés went 8-for-8, Cincinnati’s P.J. Higgins finished 7-for-7, and Milwaukee’s Jeferson Quero achieved 6-for-6.

Chicago White Sox catcher Edgar Quero struggled at 2-for-11, New York Yankees’ Payton Henry went 1-for-9, and Oakland’s Austin Wynns failed on all seven attempts.

BENGALURU, India — Two record-shattering transactions completed on the same day have marked a watershed moment for American investment in Indian cricket, as US-backed groups purchased teams in India’s premier sports league for unprecedented amounts exceeding $1 billion each.

The Indian Premier League, which ranks among Asia’s most-watched sporting spectacles, witnessed its first-ever billion-dollar team sale when a group supported by US entrepreneurs Kal Somani and Rob Walton — Walmart’s former chairman — completed their purchase of the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday. Indian media reports placed the transaction’s value at $1.63 billion.

However, this milestone was quickly surpassed within hours when an even larger acquisition was revealed the same day involving defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The franchise changed hands for $1.78 billion to a partnership that features US billionaire David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures alongside American investment firm Blackstone.

These massive transactions underscore the growing appeal of India’s beloved national sport among global investors eager to participate in the world’s most populous nation’s favorite athletic competition.

“It’s mind-boggling numbers,” Indian cricketing great Sourav Ganguly told local reporters. “But great news for Indian cricket and the way forward. I think it’s already as big as the NBA.”

The astronomical prices represent a dramatic increase from the teams’ initial 2008 purchases, when spirits magnate Vijay Mallya acquired RCB for $111.6 million while Rajasthan sold for just $67 million.

Operating only three months annually, the IPL showcases cricket’s fastest format — known as Twenty20 — and has evolved into the sport’s most coveted property. Broadcasting rights for the 2023-27 period commanded $6.4 billion from Disney Star and Reliance Viacom18 in 2022. Following Disney’s departure from its India operations, the two companies merged to create JioStar in 2025.

Blitzer characterized the IPL as “one of the great growth stories in global sport” in his official statement.

The league grew from eight to 10 teams in 2021, with newcomers Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants selling for $670 million and $940 million respectively.

For perspective, the London Spirit franchise in Britain’s The Hundred cricket competition reached a peak valuation of $370 million in 2025 — the tournament’s highest — when a partial ownership stake was offered for sale.

“Over the past two decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket, creating enormous value for India,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman Aditya Birla Group, which is part of the consortium that includes Blitzer. “RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers us a distinctive platform to extend our legacy into the arena of global sport.”

RCB claimed their inaugural championship in 2025, though the victory celebrations were marred by tragedy when a crowd crush at the team’s stadium resulted in at least 11 fatalities.

The incoming ownership group plans to install new leadership for RCB, with Aditya Birla director Aryaman Vikram Birla assuming the chairman position and Satyan Gajwani from the Times of India Group becoming vice chairman.

Blitzer’s sports portfolio already encompasses ownership interests in the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, NHL’s New Jersey Devils, and Premier League’s Crystal Palace, among numerous other franchises.

Regarding the Rajasthan acquisition, Somani previously held shares in the team and moved to secure complete ownership through a transaction requiring approval from India’s Board of Control for Cricket, according to Indian media outlets. The Arizona-based technology executive also co-founded Motor City Golf Club in the TGL league established by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Walton, age 81, is the oldest child of Walmart founder Sam Walton and currently owns the NFL’s Denver Broncos.

Although current IPL team valuations remain below top-tier global sports franchises like the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys or soccer’s Real Madrid, significant growth potential exists.

Cricket expanded into American markets during the 2024 T20 World Cup — which India won — and the sport will feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Times Group, another RCB co-owner, maintains substantial American cricket investments through Willow, which broadcasts major cricket competitions including the IPL throughout the United States.

Walmart holds significant Indian business interests, having purchased a controlling stake in e-commerce platform Flipkart in 2018 and operating PhonePe, the country’s dominant digital payments service, among other ventures.

Connections also exist between the IPL and Major League Cricket — a T20 tournament launched in 2023 featuring six teams across Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas and Washington, D.C.

MLC operates with IPL franchise support — Chennai Super Kings owns the Texas team, while Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians control the Los Angeles and New York franchises respectively. The league anticipates expansion to eight teams by 2027, with Arizona considered a leading candidate for one of the new franchises.

The National Basketball Association’s governing board gave the green light Wednesday for league officials to examine potential franchise expansion into two specific markets: Las Vegas and Seattle.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement saying, “Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle — two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball.”

Silver added, “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.” While Wednesday’s decision doesn’t guarantee either city will receive a franchise, it opens the door for official discussions with potential ownership groups. Industry analysts project each expansion franchise could cost investors anywhere from $7 billion to $10 billion.

Seattle previously hosted the SuperSonics until 2008, when team ownership moved the franchise to Oklahoma City following unsuccessful negotiations for a new arena facility.

Las Vegas has never hosted an NBA franchise but has established itself as a growing sports destination, currently housing NFL and NHL teams, while Major League Baseball’s Athletics are also planning to relocate to the city.

Should the expansion move forward, both franchises are anticipated to debut during the 2028-29 season, representing the league’s first growth since the Charlotte Bobcats entered in 2004.

League insiders anticipate both new teams would join the Western Conference, likely prompting either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Memphis Grizzlies to move to the Eastern Conference to maintain equal 16-team divisions.

The Twin Cities are making their play to bring one of the NFL’s biggest events to Minnesota, with officials confirming they’ve officially entered the race to host the 2028 NFL Draft.

Minnesota Sports and Events Commission President and CEO Wendy Blackshaw verified to ESPN on Wednesday that the organization has submitted their formal proposal to stage the event at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The league’s annual draft event is scheduled for Pittsburgh in the coming month, followed by the nation’s capital in 2027.

According to ESPN, the NFL generally makes its hosting decisions approximately two years in advance, meaning Minneapolis could learn their fate in the near future.

The draft event underwent a major transformation starting in 2015, moving away from its longtime New York home where it resided from 1965 through 2014. Since then, the selection spectacle has traveled to various cities including Chicago for two consecutive years in 2015-16, followed by stops in Philadelphia, Arlington in Texas, Nashville, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Detroit, and Green Bay scheduled for 2025.

The only interruption to this traveling format occurred in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to conduct the event virtually.

NEW YORK — The NBA has taken a significant step toward bringing professional basketball back to Seattle and establishing a new franchise in Las Vegas.

On Wednesday, the league’s board of governors gave their approval for NBA leadership to “formally explore potential team expansion” in both cities, which have been widely considered the leading candidates for new franchises.

“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle — two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”

Silver planned to address reporters later Wednesday about future steps in the process. The NBA announced it has enlisted investment bank PJT Partners “as a strategic adviser to evaluate prospective markets, ownership groups, arena infrastructure, and the broader economic implications of expansion.”

While expansion remains uncertain, the formal exploration marks a major milestone beyond mere speculation.

New Orleans guard Dejounte Murray was just 11 when Seattle’s NBA franchise disappeared. Growing up, he idolized players like Gary Payton, Ray Allen and Shawn Kemp, and even recalls a young Kevin Durant during his rookie season with the SuperSonics.

Nearly twenty years have passed since that era concluded. However, Wednesday’s decision should generate genuine optimism for basketball’s return to Seattle — and the beginning of a new era in Las Vegas.

“It’s a basketball city, basketball culture, so it’s mandatory I think that they get it back over there,” said Murray, who hails from Seattle.

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, also a Seattle native, added: “I think it’s been a long time coming for the city. I think everybody was pretty bummed out when they left. And since then it’s just been waiting and hoping that one day they will come back. I’m sure with the news, everybody’s excited. I know I’m excited for all the kids growing up because Seattle’s a really big basketball city.”

Las Vegas has also established itself as a basketball hub, despite lacking a franchise.

The NBA’s Summer League takes place annually in Las Vegas and has evolved into an essential gathering for team executives, coaches, media, agents and even non-participating players. The NBA Cup championship rounds have also been staged in Las Vegas. Historically, the city has hosted occasional regular-season contests; notably, in 1984, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set the league’s career scoring record there during a matchup with the Utah Jazz — who were using Las Vegas for some home games at the time.

The concept of placing a franchise in Las Vegas might have seemed far-fetched twenty years ago. That’s no longer the case, particularly with the NFL’s Raiders, NHL’s Golden Knights and WNBA’s Aces already established there, plus Major League Baseball coming soon.

“I’m very excited to see the NBA advance this process toward a Las Vegas expansion team,” Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said. “Today’s vote by the NBA Board of Governors is a testament to the incredible growth we’re seeing in Southern Nevada and our state’s business-friendly environment. Las Vegans have already shown unwavering support for our professional sports franchises, and a new NBA team will provide even more entertainment, more jobs, and more small business growth for the region.”

Speaking in Las Vegas during December’s NBA Cup, Silver had previously stated: “I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities.”

Should owners ultimately choose to expand beyond the current 30-team structure, numerous details must be resolved. Key considerations include: the expansion fee (anticipated to exceed $6 billion), the implementation timeline (2028-29 appears to be the earliest possibility) and Western Conference restructuring (at least one team would likely move to the Eastern Conference).

Golden State coach Steve Kerr described the SuperSonics as “one of the iconic franchises in the NBA.” The franchise relocated in 2008 and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I was shocked when the league left Seattle,” Kerr said. “Incredible fan base. Great basketball market. A ton of talent coming from Seattle. Top 10 media market. Incredible sports city. So, it was kind of shocking to all of us when the league left Seattle. And I think we all hoped it would be a lot sooner than 18, 19 years, whatever it’s going to be, before they got back in the league.

“They belong in that city, and a team belongs there,” he added. “Those fans deserve it.”

The international governing body for track and field has granted the United States three additional roster spots for women’s half-marathon competitors at September’s World Road Running Championships following a routing mishap at the American national championships.

Three female athletes – Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat – were running in the lead positions with just two miles remaining when they were incorrectly guided off the proper course, costing them podium finishes and automatic qualification spots typically awarded to the top four competitors.

Race officials later provided compensation to the affected runners, explaining that law enforcement officers responsible for course direction had been forced to abandon their posts to handle an urgent emergency situation.

In what World Athletics described as an “exceptional decision,” the organization will permit the US team to bring seven female half-marathon athletes to the Copenhagen championships in September on a “strictly one-off basis.”

The three additional competitors will participate as “non-scoring athletes” who are ineligible for medals, prize money or team scoring contributions, though they will earn world ranking points for their race results, according to the World Athletics announcement.

“USATF will select their four fastest athletes to be their scoring athletes, while non-scoring athletes… will take the three additional places. The three non-scoring athletes will wear USA national kit but of a different style to the four scoring athletes,” the organization stated.

USA Track & Field confirmed that McClain, Hurley and Kurgat will join the squad alongside the official top-three finishers Molly Born, Carrie Ellwood and Annie Rodenfels, with one remaining position to be determined through world ranking criteria.

“Should any non-scoring athletes finish in a prize-eligible position, USATF will also provide the corresponding prize money,” the national governing body announced.

The New York Yankees have assigned right-handed pitcher Luis Gil to their Triple-A affiliate to start the season, while bringing outfielder Randal Grichuk onto the major league roster before Wednesday’s season opener in San Francisco.

The 27-year-old Gil experienced an inconsistent spring training campaign but finished strong with a seven-strikeout performance across five innings against Baltimore on March 20. New York’s early-season schedule allows them to operate without a fifth starting pitcher until April 11.

Manager Aaron Boone explained the team chose to send Gil to their Scranton/Wilkes-Barre farm club rather than utilize him in relief work to begin the campaign. The organization anticipates bringing him back to the majors next month.

Gil represents one of three potential rotation pieces – alongside injured starters Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, who are both recovering from surgical procedures – that could be part of the Yankees’ starting staff through the 2026 season.

New York will begin the year with a four-man starting rotation featuring Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers.

During his four-year tenure with the Yankees, Gil has made 47 appearances (all as a starter) and compiled a 20-9 record with a 3.50 earned run average. He has recorded 255 strikeouts across 242 innings pitched but has also issued 131 walks.

In additional roster moves Wednesday, the Yankees placed shortstop Anthony Volpe on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to March 22, as he continues his recovery from left shoulder surgery.

NBA leadership received authorization Wednesday to investigate bringing professional basketball franchises to Las Vegas and Seattle after the league’s Board of Governors approved expansion discussions.

According to ESPN, potential ownership groups are anticipated to submit bids ranging from $7 billion to $10 billion per team.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver commented on the decision, stating: “Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle — two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball. We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”

The expansion discussion required approval from a minimum of 23 out of 30 team governors. League officials did not disclose specific voting tallies from the ongoing New York meetings.

The comprehensive evaluation of prospective owners typically spans several months and includes extensive financial analysis. NBA officials have contracted investment firm PJT Partners to serve as strategic consultants “to evaluate prospective markets, ownership groups, arena infrastructure, and the broader economic implications of expansion.”

Earlier reports indicated the expansion franchises could launch operations during the 2028-29 season.

The SuperSonics represented Seattle in the NBA from the 1967-68 season through 2007-08, capturing a championship in 1979. That franchise eventually moved and transformed into the Oklahoma City Thunder, which claimed a title this past season.

While Las Vegas has hosted various NBA activities for years, including the yearly Summer League tournament, Nevada has never housed a permanent NBA team. The city’s WNBA franchise, the Las Vegas Aces, has operated there since 2018 and secured three championships in the past four years.

The NBA’s most recent expansion occurred in 2004, and adding two franchises may require conference restructuring. Teams currently in the Western Conference — potentially Minnesota, Memphis, or New Orleans — might shift to the Eastern Conference to balance a 32-team structure.

NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood knew exactly who he wanted calling games when he discovered in November that his network would resume baseball broadcasting.

Baseball fans will experience this vision firsthand Thursday during NBC’s Opening Day doubleheader coverage.

Jason Benetti will make his network debut as NBC’s primary baseball voice during the evening matchup featuring the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The veteran announcer becomes the new voice behind Sunday Night Baseball, which NBC and Peacock are taking over following ESPN’s 26-season tenure. Benetti previously handled play-by-play duties for MLB Sunday Leadoff on Peacock in 2022 and called baseball for NBC during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

“Sam and I always joked after 2022 — and he was serious, and it turned out I was, too — that if NBC ever got baseball back in this sort of state, that I would be on the list of people that he would call. And I firmly appreciate that,” Benetti said.

Fox Sports released Benetti from his contract early to pursue this opportunity. He had been calling baseball, NFL, college football and college basketball for Fox since 2022.

NBC secured rights to Sunday evening games and Wild Card playoff rounds for the next three years after ESPN chose not to extend its original agreement with Major League Baseball.

Baseball enthusiasts, particularly in Detroit and Chicago markets, recognize Benetti’s distinctive voice. He’s entering his third season providing local Tigers game coverage following eight years with the White Sox.

Sunday Night Baseball will maintain the same structure used for Sunday Leadoff programming. Benetti will share booth duties with analysts representing both competing teams. Thursday’s broadcast features former Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser alongside Diamondbacks slugger Luis Gonzalez, who helped deliver the franchise’s 2001 World Series championship.

The inaugural Sunday Night Baseball game between Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners will include Rick Manning and Ryan Rowland-Smith as analysts.

“At some point, somebody will ask if you’re around a bunch of baseball people, what three people would you want to have at the dinner table to talk baseball? And I kind of get to do that with this every week,” Benetti said. “It’s going to be two separate people who maybe you haven’t heard have a baseball conversation before. That brings me a lot of joy and curiosity, and we think it’s going to be for fans as well.”

This dual-analyst approach recalls NBC’s World Series coverage history. Between 1947 and 1976, NBC featured play-by-play announcers or analysts from participating teams during the Fall Classic.

NBC’s 1975 World Series coverage included Red Sox announcer Dick Stockton calling Carlton Fisk’s legendary 12th-inning Game 6 home run. Stockton later became CBS’s primary NBA voice.

“The biggest complaint you hear during the postseason in baseball is, I can’t hear my people. I can’t hear my guys call the game. We’re going to have one person that’s authentic to that team calling games through the season,” Flood said. “When we do the Wild Card round, it will exist as well. Because it’s the best way to know exactly what’s going on inside each clubhouse, on the field, who’s hot, who’s not, and what matters most to those fans.”

Benetti welcomes the weekly challenge of collaborating with different analysts, describing the nine-inning dynamic with two distinct personalities as an engaging puzzle.

He compared the experience to his college basketball work alongside the late Bill Walton on ESPN, including a memorable 2019 White Sox-Angels game in Southern California where Walton served as analyst.

“When I worked with Bill — a marvelous, joyful human being — you just had to know that you’re going to have to pay attention to the game and then Bill and the conversation, whatever crosses your own synapses, and then weigh that at all times. And it’s this crossword puzzle that is not black and white; it’s like psychedelic squares instead, but you just kind of have to always gauge where your mind needs to go. And the answer usually is two or three places at once,” Benetti said. “Working with Bill in large part taught me that you can have a conversation about a lot of things while honoring the game and having a great time doing it.”

NBC will debut an “inside pitch” segment during broadcasts, featuring analysis from studio analysts Clayton Kershaw and Adam Ottavino.

Flood expects to incorporate this feature once per inning or every other inning.

“The idea is to really take you through how Adam would approach pitching to Juan Soto or ‘The Password’ (the nickname for Jhostynxon Garcia). Whatever it is, he’s going to take you through that approach, during the at-bat, and looking at it through the lens of a pitcher who was on that mound in a recent season facing these same hitters,” Flood said.

Thursday’s opening NBC game showcases reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates against Juan Soto and the New York Mets. Matt Vasgersian, who calls Sunday afternoon Peacock games, will team with Al Leiter and Neil Walker.

NBC’s first Sunday night broadcast is scheduled for April 12 when Cleveland visits the Atlanta Braves. The following six weeks will air on Peacock and NBCSN before NBC takes over Sunday night coverage from May 31 through September 6.

NBC maintains extensive baseball history despite recent absence from the sport. The network broadcast games from 1939 through 1989, participated in the short-lived Baseball Network partnership with ABC in 1994-95, and aired playoff coverage from 1996 through 2000.

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid reached a historic milestone Tuesday night, netting his 400th and 401st career NHL goals during a 5-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth in Salt Lake City.

The milestone marker came at a crucial moment, just eight seconds after Utah’s Lawson Crouse had evened the score at 2-2 with 11:59 remaining in the second period. McDavid capitalized on a 2-on-1 opportunity, banking the puck off the crossbar and into the net to restore Edmonton’s advantage.

Jack Roslovic contributed a pair of goals while Evan Bouchard recorded three assists for Edmonton (35-28-9, 79 points). The victory snapped a two-game losing streak and propelled the Oilers past the Vegas Golden Knights into second place in the Pacific Division. Matt Savoie added another goal, and goaltender Tristan Jarry turned away 16 shots.

Alexander Kerfoot found the net for Utah (37-29-6, 80 points), which had captured three victories in its previous four contests. The Mammoth maintain their grip on the first Western Conference wild-card position. Relief goalie Vitek Vanecek was perfect on 10 shots after replacing Karel Vejmelka, who surrendered four goals on 15 attempts through two periods.

Panthers 5, Kraken 4 (SO)

Vinnie Hinostroza delivered the decisive shootout goal as Florida defeated Seattle at home, while head coach Paul Maurice marked his 2,000th game behind an NHL bench. The 59-year-old Maurice now trails only Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman (2,141) for most games coached in league history.

Seattle mounted a dramatic comeback from a 4-1 deficit with under six minutes left, getting goals from Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle and Bobby McMann to force overtime.

Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 22 shots in regulation and made three crucial saves in the shootout. Nolan Foote, Eetu Luostarinen, Carter Verhaeghe and Noah Gregor provided Florida’s scoring. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad also hit a personal milestone, appearing in his 800th NHL game.

Avalanche 6, Penguins 2

Martin Necas found the net twice while Scott Wedgewood turned aside 30 shots as Colorado rolled to a road triumph over Pittsburgh.

Sam Malinski contributed a goal and assist for the Avalanche, who extended their winning streak to three games and points streak to four contests (3-0-1). Nathan MacKinnon, Parker Kelly and Ross Colton provided Colorado’s remaining offense.

Egor Chinakhov and Rickard Rakell scored for Pittsburgh, which dropped to third in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins have struggled defensively, allowing 21 goals while going 1-2-1 over their last four outings. Arturs Silovs made 24 saves on 29 shots.

Canadiens 5, Hurricanes 2

Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky struck 3½ minutes apart in the middle frame, while Jakub Dobes made 41 saves to help Montreal rally past Carolina at home.

Oliver Kapanen, Ivan Demidov and Jake Evans also tallied for the Canadiens, who earned their sixth victory in nine games. The comeback marked Montreal’s 24th of the season, matching a franchise record.

Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Staal scored first-period goals for Carolina, ending the Hurricanes’ three-game winning streak. Frederik Andersen stopped 14 shots in the loss.

Maple Leafs 4, Bruins 2

Matthew Knies scored a pair of goals while William Nylander netted the game-winner and added an assist as Toronto defeated Boston on the road.

Max Domi also scored, John Tavares recorded three assists and Anthony Stolarz made 18 saves for the Maple Leafs, who overcame an early 1-0 deficit with two goals each in the second and third periods. The victory was only Toronto’s third since the Olympic break (3-8-4).

Elias Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy scored for Boston, which had been on a five-game point streak (3-0-2). Jeremy Swayman made 31 saves. Toronto outshot Boston 35-20 and went 2-for-4 on the power play, while the Bruins were 1-for-5.

Lightning 6, Wild 3

Erik Cernak scored an unusual tiebreaking goal with under three minutes remaining as Tampa Bay opened a season-high seven-game homestand by scoring five consecutive goals in a victory over Minnesota.

Darren Raddysh tallied once and assisted twice for Tampa Bay. Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzel each recorded a goal and assist. Pontus Holmberg was credited with the final goal after being fouled on a breakaway with 24 seconds left, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves.

Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and assist for Minnesota. Mats Zuccarello and Brock Faber also scored, while Filip Gustavsson stopped 19 shots.

Blues 3, Capitals 0

Joel Hofer made 21 saves for his sixth shutout of the season as St. Louis blanked Washington at home.

The shutout was Hofer’s eighth career. Jimmy Snuggerud, Ott Stenberg and Jordan Kyrou scored for the Blues, who have earned points in 10 of 11 games (8-1-2). St. Louis opened a three-game homestand while remaining on the Western Conference wild-card bubble.

Washington began a three-game road trip having earned points in five straight (3-0-2). The Capitals finished six points behind Ottawa for the second Eastern Conference wild card. Logan Thompson made 24 saves.

Ducks 5, Canucks 3

Mikael Granlund scored twice and John Carlson recorded three assists as Anaheim defeated Vancouver on the road.

Alex Killorn had a goal and assist, Leo Carlsson logged two assists and Lukas Dostal made 27 saves for the Ducks, who extended their point streak to five games (4-0-1). Mason McTavish and Troy Terry also scored for Anaheim, which earned its 24th comeback victory, tied for the league lead.

Jake DeBrusk, Brock Boeser and Drew O’Connor scored for Vancouver, which has lost three straight. Filip Hronek and Elias Pettersson each had two assists, while Kevin Lankinen stopped 29 shots.

Predators 6, Sharks 3

Jonathan Marchessault recorded three assists as Nashville scored five first-period goals and cruised past visiting San Jose.

Filip Forsberg had a goal and two assists, Brady Skjei a goal and assist, and Matthew Wood, Roman Josi, Luke Evangelista and Steven Stamkos also tallied for the Predators, who won their fifth consecutive game. Ryan O’Reilly notched two assists and Juuse Saros made 27 saves.

Will Smith scored twice and Adam Gaudette added a goal for San Jose, which has lost five in a row. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 13 shots.

Jets 4, Golden Knights 1

Mark Scheifele scored a goal, recorded two assists and got into a fight for a “Gordie Howe hat trick” as Winnipeg defeated Vegas at home.

Kyle Connor had a goal and assist while Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti also scored for the Jets, who are 2-0-1 in their last three games. Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves.

Rasmus Andersson scored and Adin Hill finished with 17 saves for Vegas, which has lost four of its past five games.

Devils 6, Stars 4

New Jersey scored four times on its first five shots then held off Dallas’ comeback attempt on the road.

Jack Hughes continued his hot streak with two goals. Jesper Bratt added a goal and assist, while Connor Brown, Tino Meier and Dougie Hamilton also scored for the Devils. Jake Allen made 23 saves for his second win in seven starts.

Wyatt Johnston scored twice to reach 40 goals for the season and assisted on Jason Robertson’s 39th. Mavrik Bourque also scored. Robertson added two assists, as did Thomas Harley.

Blue Jackets 3, Flyers 2

Zach Werenski and Mason Marchment each had a goal and assist as Columbus bounced back from a rare regulation loss with a road victory over Philadelphia.

Columbus had gone 8-0-4 in 12 games before falling 1-0 to the New York Islanders on Sunday. Tuesday’s victory moved the Blue Jackets past Pittsburgh into second place in the Metropolitan Division while Philadelphia missed a chance to gain ground in the wild-card race.

Mathieu Olivier also scored for Columbus while Jet Greaves stopped 24 shots. Sean Couturier and Jamie Drysdale tallied for Philadelphia, while Dan Vladar finished with 16 saves.

Flames 3, Kings 2 (SO)

Yegor Sharangovich scored the winner in the fourth shootout round as Calgary topped Los Angeles at home, extending their winning streak to a season-best four games.

Olli Maatta and Zayne Parekh scored in regulation for the Flames. Dustin Wolf made 23 saves through regulation and overtime.

Quinton Byfield netted both regulation goals for Los Angeles, which is 0-1-3 in its past four games. Darcy Kuemper stopped 21 shots through regulation and overtime.

Senators 3, Red Wings 2

Carter Yakemchuk scored and added an assist in his NHL debut as surging Ottawa edged Detroit on the road.

Brady Tkachuk scored his 20th goal of the season for the Senators, who have won four straight and nine of 11 games. Lars Eller scored the other Ottawa goal. The victory moved the Senators ahead of Detroit in the playoff race. Linus Ullmark made 32 saves for Ottawa, which currently holds the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin scored on a third-period power play in his return after missing seven games with a lower body injury. Dominik Shine also scored for the Red Wings, while John Gibson stopped 18 shots.

Blackhawks 4, Islanders 3

Nick Lardis, Ilya Mikheyev, Tyler Bertuzzi and Frank Nazar scored consecutive goals over a 13-minute span bridging the first and second periods as Chicago held off New York’s rally in Elmont, N.Y.

Arvid Soderblom made 44 saves — including 21 in the third period — for the Blackhawks, who won for the second time in six games (2-2-2). Anders Lee scored in the opening minute before Simon Holmstrom and Calum Ritchie tallied third-period goals for New York.

The Islanders took their third loss in four games (1-3-0) and fell even with Ottawa for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Starting goalie David Rittich was pulled after allowing three first-period goals on 12 shots. Ilya Sorokin took the loss after stopping 11 of 12 shots in relief.